Natural Disasters in Arlington, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
66.8
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
78.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
10.6
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
64.4
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Heat Wave | 89.9 |
| Winter Weather | 84.3 |
| Lightning | 82.7 |
| Strong Wind | 81.2 |
| Hurricane | 80.4 |
| Earthquake | 73.0 |
| Hail | 64.2 |
| Ice Storm | 54.8 |
| Tornado | 44.1 |
| Coastal Flood | 41.6 |
| Cold Wave | 30.2 |
| Landslide | 20.8 |
| Drought | 18.0 |
| Wildfire | 5.7 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
21
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
5 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Apr 2, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Sep 11, 2018 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLORENCE |
| Mar 7, 2016 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Nov 26, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Oct 29, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Jul 27, 2012 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| Apr 27, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORMS |
| Feb 16, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Jul 13, 2006 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Sep 12, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 18, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| Mar 27, 2003 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM, RECORD/NEAR RECORD SNOWFALL, HEAVY RAIN,FLOODIND, AND MUDSLIDE |
| Sep 21, 2001 | Terrorist | FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS |
| Sep 12, 2001 | Fire | FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS |
| Feb 28, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 25, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jan 26, 1977 | Freezing | ICE CONDITIONS |
Showing 20 of 21 declarations
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
5,923
Total IA Distributed
$18,466,799
Repair/Replace
$973,282
Rental Assistance
$1,044,313
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1858 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-1603 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4481 | 2 | N/A | — |
| DR-4794 | 1 | N/A | $6,658 |
| DR-4502 | 1,180 | $6,213,831 | — |
| DR-4512 | 1,019 | $5,648,727 | — |
| DR-4491 | 677 | $3,951,168 | — |
| DR-1491 | 984 | $1,391,338 | $1,890 |
| DR-1493 | 1,623 | $950,368 | $615 |
| DR-1492 | 382 | $289,297 | $1,406 |
Showing top 10 of 14 disasters by IA amount
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
215
Total Claims Paid
$1,617,528
Avg Claim Payout
$7,523
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$50,251,310
Disasters with PA
3
Total Projects
34
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4512 | Biological | 18 | $48,899,028 |
| DR-1905 | Snow | 11 | $918,614 |
| DR-4072 | Severe Storm(s) | 5 | $433,668 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
12
Federal Funding
$1,726,846
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.00
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 800.1: Miscellaneous | 6 | $725,997 |
| 104.1: Developing, Implementing and Enforcing Codes, Standards, Ordinances and Regulations | 2 | $89,034 |
| 602.1: Other Equipment Purchase and Installation | 2 | $729,500 |
| 100.1: Public Awareness and Education (Brochures, Workshops, Videos, etc.) | 1 | $73,930 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $108,385 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Arlington has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are heat wave, winter weather, lightning. The area has had 21 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (5 declarations). 215 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $50,251,310 in public assistance recovery funding. $18,466,799 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 12 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.