Surry County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Surry County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.7, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Surry County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 4.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $949K in expected annual loss and about 3.53 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $522K in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Very Low risk — $23K in expected annual loss and about 3.69 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Surry County has a medium 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Surry County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 9 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Surry County ranks #125 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 3.53 / yr | $949K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.21 / yr | $522K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 3.69 / yr | $23K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $57K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.40 / yr | $20K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.26 / yr | $64K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.12 / yr | $71K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.21 / yr | $15K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $68 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $117K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $75K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.81 / yr | $25K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $47K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $797K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Surry County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Severe Storm (3), Snowstorm (3).
| 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 |
| November 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| December 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'east |
| September 2006 | Severe Storm | Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Surry County?
Surry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Surry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $949K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $522K EAL), Coastal Flood (Very Low, $23K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Surry County compare to other Virginia counties?
Surry County ranks #125 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Surry County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Surry County since 1972, most often 9 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm 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. Surry County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.