Natural Disasters in Blue Ridge, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
18.1
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
30.8
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
12.2
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
77.9
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Landslide | 86.9 |
| Avalanche | 63.2 |
| Hurricane | 56.0 |
| Lightning | 40.8 |
| Strong Wind | 40.5 |
| Winter Weather | 37.4 |
| Earthquake | 35.7 |
| Cold Wave | 30.1 |
| Drought | 28.9 |
| Wildfire | 25.1 |
| Ice Storm | 16.4 |
| Tornado | 12.0 |
| Hail | 10.8 |
| Heat Wave | 10.2 |
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 OpenFEMATotal Declarations
24
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
6 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Apr 4, 2025 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Oct 1, 2024 | Tropical Storm | TROPICAL STORM HELENE |
| Apr 2, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Oct 15, 2018 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLORENCE |
| Sep 11, 2018 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLORENCE |
| Oct 29, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Jul 27, 2012 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| 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 |
| Oct 18, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING FROM THE REMANANTS OF HURRICANE JEANNE |
| Feb 28, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| Sep 6, 1996 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FRAN AND ASSOCIATED SEVERE STORM COND |
| Jan 27, 1996 | Flood | FLOODING, HIGH WINDS, AND WIND DRIVEN RAIN |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 10, 1994 | Snowstorm | SEVERE ICE STORMS, FLOODING |
| Mar 25, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| May 19, 1992 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
Showing 20 of 24 declarations
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
157
Total IA Distributed
$467,230
Repair/Replace
$83,725
Rental Assistance
$32,521
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4831 | 11 | N/A | — |
| DR-4512 | 67 | $309,098 | — |
| DR-1570 | 57 | $124,301 | $2,565 |
| DR-1458 | 18 | $23,542 | $871 |
| DR-1491 | 3 | $6,348 | $2,025 |
| DR-1838 | 1 | $3,942 | $3,942 |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
239
Total Claims Paid
$3,737,137
Avg Claim Payout
$15,637
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$224,828
Disasters with PA
3
Total Projects
14
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4512 | Biological | 3 | $96,638 |
| DR-4863 | Winter Storm | 3 | $68,823 |
| DR-4072 | Severe Storm(s) | 8 | $59,367 |
Blue Ridge has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, avalanche, hurricane. The area has had 24 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (6 declarations). 239 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $224,828 in public assistance recovery funding. $467,230 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents.