Wise County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Wise County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.4, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Wise County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 50.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $38K in expected annual loss and about 1.28 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $525K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.21 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 36K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wise County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: Wise County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Wise County ranks #36 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.28 / yr | $38K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $525K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.21 / yr | $2M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.89 / yr | $9M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.02 / yr | $89K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $329K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.93 / yr | $505K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $52K |
| Drought | Very Low | 8.00 / yr | $22K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $216K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 51.10 / yr | $54K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $55K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Wise County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Snowstorm (4), 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 |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| February 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wise County?
Wise County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wise County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $38K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $525K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wise County compare to other Virginia counties?
Wise County ranks #36 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wise County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Wise County since 1977, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 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. Wise County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.