Tazewell County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Tazewell County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.2, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Tazewell County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 60.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 60th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $60K in expected annual loss and about 1.63 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.42 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 2.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 40K.
Beyond physical exposure, Tazewell County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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: Tazewell County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 10 for severe storm events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Tazewell County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.63 / yr | $60K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.42 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.61 / yr | $12M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $507K |
| Drought | Low | 2.84 / yr | $197K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.95 / yr | $59K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.34 / yr | $471K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $61K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.40 / yr | $135K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.28 / yr | $95K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $15K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $108K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Tazewell County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Snowstorm (5), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| October 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene |
| September 2022 | Severe Storm | Flooding and Mudslides |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Tazewell County?
Tazewell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Tazewell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $60K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $12M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Tazewell County compare to other Virginia counties?
Tazewell County ranks #22 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Tazewell County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Tazewell County since 1976, most often 10 for severe storm events and 5 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. Tazewell County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.