Richmond County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Richmond County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.4, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Richmond County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 10.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $919K in expected annual loss and about 4.27 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Low risk — $57K in expected annual loss and about 3.69 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Richmond County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Richmond County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 11 for hurricane events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Richmond County ranks #103 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 4.27 / yr | $919K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.14 / yr | $1M |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.69 / yr | $57K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $330 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $78K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.06 / yr | $229K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.73 / yr | $24K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.95 / yr | $82K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $187K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.79 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 39.93 / yr | $31K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.43 / yr | $25K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $39K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.86 / yr | $783K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Richmond County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Snowstorm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| December 2018 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Michael |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| September 2006 | Severe Storm | Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Richmond County?
Richmond County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Richmond County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $919K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $1M EAL), Coastal Flood (Low, $57K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Richmond County compare to other Virginia counties?
Richmond County ranks #103 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Richmond County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Richmond County since 1969, most often 11 for hurricane events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Richmond County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.