Wythe County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Wythe County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 48.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 49th 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 4.42 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $21K in expected annual loss and about 1.12 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $750K in expected annual loss and about 2.53 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wythe 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.
History supports the rating: Wythe County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 4 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Wythe County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Wythe County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Hurricane (3), Snowstorm (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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Record/Near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,Floodind, and Mudslide |
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 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.
How many federally declared disasters has Wythe County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Wythe County since 1976, most often 4 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane 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. Wythe County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.