Natural Disasters in Big Island, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
51.2
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
56.0
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
31.1
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
57.1
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
28
Public Assistance
$156K
Individual Assistance
$137K
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
6 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm → | Winter Storm | Jan 2026 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storms and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Apr 2025 | $38K | — |
| Tropical Storm Helene → | Tropical Storm | Oct 2024 | — | — |
| Post-tropical Cyclone Helene → | Tropical Storm | Sep 2024 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storms → | Severe Ice Storm | May 2021 | — | — |
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Apr 2020 | — | $129K |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Florence → | Hurricane | Sep 2018 | — | — |
| Hurricane Sandy → | Hurricane | Oct 2012 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds → | Severe Storm | Jul 2012 | $118K | — |
| Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm → | Snowstorm | Feb 2010 | — | — |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation → | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | — | — |
| Hurricane Isabel → | Hurricane | Sep 2003 | — | $8K |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding → | Severe Storm | May 2002 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storms → | Severe Storm | Feb 2000 | — | — |
| Hurricane Fran and Associated Severe Sto… → | Hurricane | Sep 1996 | — | — |
| Blizzard of 96 (severe Snow Storm) → | Snowstorm | Jan 1996 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Jul 1995 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Ice Storm → | Severe Storm | Apr 1994 | — | — |
| Severe Ice Storms, Flooding → | Snowstorm | Mar 1994 | — | — |
Showing 20 of 29 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
26
Total Claims Paid
$216,194
Avg Claim Payout
$8,315
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Big Island has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hurricane, lightning, drought. The area has had 28 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (6 declarations). 26 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $155,551 in public assistance recovery funding. $137,209 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents.