Salem City
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
Salem City faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.6, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $205K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $336K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.38 / yr | $479K |
| Lightning | Low | 44.61 / yr | $154K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $317 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.53 / yr | $32K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.89 / yr | $243K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.55 / yr | $10K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.13 / yr | $54K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $133K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $27K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $692 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.66 / 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 Salem City?
Salem City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Salem City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Very Low, $205K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $336K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Salem City compare to other Virginia counties?
Salem City ranks #82 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Salem City's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.