Sussex County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.