Natural Disasters in Big Stone Gap, VA

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

50.4

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

45.9

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

62.5

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

6.1

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Landslide88.5Wildfire84.3Cold Wave75.5
HazardRisk Score
Landslide88.5
Wildfire84.3
Cold Wave75.5
Avalanche69.0
Winter Weather65.5
Earthquake57.8
Strong Wind54.6
Hurricane48.7
Drought30.6
Tornado21.6
Lightning19.6
Hail19.3
Ice Storm12.2

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 OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

19

Most Recent

Winter Storm

Jan 2026

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

6 declarations

DateTypeDeclaration
Jan 23, 2026Winter StormSEVERE WINTER STORM
Apr 4, 2025Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING
Oct 1, 2024Tropical StormTROPICAL STORM HELENE
Sep 29, 2024Tropical StormPOST-TROPICAL CYCLONE HELENE
Apr 2, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
Mar 13, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19
Sep 11, 2018HurricaneHURRICANE FLORENCE
Oct 29, 2012HurricaneHURRICANE SANDY
Feb 16, 2010SnowstormSEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM
Sep 12, 2005HurricaneHURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Mar 27, 2003Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORM, RECORD/NEAR RECORD SNOWFALL, HEAVY RAIN,FLOODIND, AND MUDSLIDE
May 5, 2002Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
Apr 2, 2002Severe StormSEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Jul 12, 2001Severe StormSEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Feb 28, 2000Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORMS
Jan 13, 1996SnowstormBLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM)
Mar 10, 1994SnowstormSEVERE ICE STORMS, FLOODING
Mar 25, 1993SnowstormSEVERE WINTER STORM
Apr 7, 1977FloodSEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

348

Total Claims Paid

$2,685,111

Avg Claim Payout

$7,716

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Disaster Recovery Spending

Source: FEMA Public Assistance

Total Federal Spending

$2,260,654

Disasters with PA

4

Total Projects

30

DisasterTypeProjectsFederal $
DR-4831Tropical Storm20$1,220,527
DR-4863Winter Storm7$903,643
DR-4512Biological2$134,052
DR-1874Snow1$2,433

Big Stone Gap has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, wildfire, cold wave. The area has had 19 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (6 declarations). 348 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $2,260,654 in public assistance recovery funding.