Sussex County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Sussex County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 13.2, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Sussex County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 13.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.79 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $585K in expected annual loss and about 0.19 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $141K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sussex County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Sussex County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 8 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, Sussex County ranks #97 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 5.79 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.19 / yr | $585K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $141K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.58 / yr | $27K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.32 / yr | $119K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.16 / yr | $22K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.45 / yr | $68K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.60 / yr | $141K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $188K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $121K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.86 / yr | $34K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $25 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Sussex County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), 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 |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| September 2006 | Severe Storm | Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2003 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sussex County?
Sussex County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 13.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sussex County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $585K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $141K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sussex County compare to other Virginia counties?
Sussex County ranks #97 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sussex County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Sussex County since 1972, most often 8 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. Sussex County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.