Natural Disasters in Charlottesville, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
24.3
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
35.8
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
16.6
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
92.5
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Strong Wind | 84.4 |
| Earthquake | 70.9 |
| Hurricane | 69.5 |
| Heat Wave | 63.9 |
| Lightning | 50.1 |
| Winter Weather | 32.3 |
| Hail | 25.7 |
| Ice Storm | 25.7 |
| Tornado | 24.3 |
| Landslide | 16.3 |
| Cold Wave | 8.4 |
| Wildfire | 0.3 |
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
13
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 |
| 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 |
| Sep 12, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 18, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| Sep 6, 1996 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FRAN AND ASSOCIATED SEVERE STORM COND |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 25, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Flood | TROPICAL STORM AGNES |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
740
Total IA Distributed
$2,454,245
Repair/Replace
$293,586
Rental Assistance
$18,066
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4512 | 376 | $2,131,183 | — |
| DR-4042 | 224 | $235,740 | $945 |
| DR-1491 | 131 | $86,253 | $684 |
| DR-4831 | 9 | $1,070 | — |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
44
Total Claims Paid
$287,321
Avg Claim Payout
$6,530
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Charlottesville has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are strong wind, earthquake, hurricane. The area has had 13 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (5 declarations). 44 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. $2,454,245 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents.