Roanoke County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Roanoke County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.2, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Roanoke County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 52.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $55K in expected annual loss and about 0.64 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.38 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 1.93 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 97K.
Beyond physical exposure, Roanoke County has a low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Roanoke County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 for severe storm events and 5 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Roanoke County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.64 / yr | $55K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.38 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.93 / yr | $15M |
| Lightning | Medium | 44.31 / yr | $553K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $602K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.51 / yr | $118K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $477K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.89 / yr | $998K |
| Hail | Low | 4.13 / yr | $165K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.55 / yr | $33K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $409K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.41 / yr | $12K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.52 / yr | $104K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Roanoke County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Hurricane (5), Snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| 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 |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| February 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Roanoke County?
Roanoke County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Roanoke County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $55K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $15M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Roanoke County compare to other Virginia counties?
Roanoke County ranks #33 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Roanoke County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Roanoke County since 1972, most often 6 for severe storm events and 5 for hurricane 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. Roanoke County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.