Wythe County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Wythe County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 48.7, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.42 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.12 / yr | $21K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.53 / yr | $750K |
| Drought | Medium | 3.00 / yr | $316K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $364K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $134K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.57 / yr | $5M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $365 |
| Lightning | Low | 45.33 / yr | $110K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.42 / yr | $28K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.74 / yr | $85K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $20K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $106K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wythe County?
Wythe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 48.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wythe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Landslide (Low, $21K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $750K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wythe County compare to other Virginia counties?
Wythe County ranks #38 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Wythe County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.