Natural Disasters in Drakes Branch, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
17.4
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
8.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
95.0
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
25.8
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Drought | 93.2 |
| Hurricane | 74.1 |
| Earthquake | 45.7 |
| Landslide | 31.7 |
| Lightning | 29.8 |
| Winter Weather | 28.6 |
| Heat Wave | 24.5 |
| Ice Storm | 24.0 |
| Cold Wave | 22.6 |
| Hail | 22.1 |
| Strong Wind | 22.1 |
| Tornado | 17.8 |
| Wildfire | 11.3 |
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
22
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 |
| Mar 11, 2022 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| May 10, 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| Apr 2, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Dec 18, 2018 | Hurricane | TROPICAL STORM MICHAEL |
| Sep 11, 2018 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLORENCE |
| Oct 29, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Jul 27, 2012 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| Sep 12, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 18, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| Feb 28, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| Sep 6, 1996 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FRAN AND ASSOCIATED SEVERE STORM COND |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Apr 11, 1994 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER ICE STORM |
| Mar 10, 1994 | Snowstorm | SEVERE ICE STORMS, FLOODING |
| Mar 25, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jul 23, 1977 | Drought | DROUGHT |
Showing 20 of 22 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
2
Total Claims Paid
$1,709
Avg Claim Payout
$855
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$182,877
Disasters with PA
2
Total Projects
24
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4411 | Hurricane | 14 | $108,442 |
| DR-4602 | Winter Storm | 10 | $74,435 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
3
Federal Funding
$649,583
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.96
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 602.1: Other Equipment Purchase and Installation | 1 | $52,444 |
| 403.4: Stormwater Management - Detention/Retention Basins | 1 | $0 |
| 403.1: Stormwater Management - Culverts; 403.2: Stormwater Management - Diversions | 1 | $597,139 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Drakes Branch has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are drought, hurricane, earthquake. The area has had 22 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (6 declarations). 2 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $182,877 in public assistance recovery funding. 3 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.