Staunton City, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 11th
Staunton City faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.6, 11th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Staunton City at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 10.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 11th 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $281K in expected annual loss and about 0.05 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.05 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $177K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Staunton City 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: Staunton City has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 5 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, Staunton City ranks #102 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $281K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $177K |
| Lightning | Low | 40.50 / yr | $158K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.68 / yr | $42K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.69 / yr | $389K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.74 / yr | $94K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.20 / yr | $90K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.69 / yr | $12K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $163K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.16 / yr | $117K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 4.43 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Staunton City has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Snowstorm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| September 2003 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| September 1996 | Hurricane | Hurricane Fran and Associated Severe Storm Cond |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Staunton City?
Staunton City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 11th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Staunton City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $281K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $2K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $177K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Staunton City compare to other Virginia counties?
Staunton City ranks #102 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Staunton City had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Staunton City since 1972, most often 5 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. Staunton City's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.