Smyth County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 58th
Smyth County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.8, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 4.58 / yr | $6M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.29 / yr | $30K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.36 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $371K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Drought | Low | 6.40 / yr | $229K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $122K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.53 / yr | $402K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.60 / yr | $150K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.38 / yr | $39K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.35 / yr | $36K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $195K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.42 / yr | $51K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | 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 Smyth County?
Smyth County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Smyth County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $6M EAL), Landslide (Low, $30K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Smyth County compare to other Virginia counties?
Smyth County ranks #26 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. Smyth County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.