Roanoke County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.