Natural Disasters in Emporia, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
5.0
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
3.8
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
61.3
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
79.3
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Hurricane | 73.9 |
| Earthquake | 37.6 |
| Ice Storm | 24.1 |
| Winter Weather | 23.6 |
| Heat Wave | 23.3 |
| Tornado | 16.3 |
| Cold Wave | 9.1 |
| Hail | 8.0 |
| Lightning | 7.2 |
| Strong Wind | 5.0 |
| Wildfire | 0.9 |
| Landslide | 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
15
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
7 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 |
| Sep 3, 2011 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRENE |
| Sep 12, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 18, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| May 5, 2002 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Feb 28, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| Sep 18, 1999 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLOYD MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATIONS |
| 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 25, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
1,023
Total IA Distributed
$690,005
Repair/Replace
$220,630
Rental Assistance
$90,672
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1502 | 1 | N/A | $2,110 |
| DR-1491 | 995 | $562,542 | $1,226 |
| DR-4512 | 26 | $126,717 | — |
| DR-4337 | 1 | $745 | — |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
18
Total Claims Paid
$34,370
Avg Claim Payout
$1,909
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
3
Federal Funding
$382,508
Properties Protected
10
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.88
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 103.1: Feasibility, Engineering and Design Studies | 1 | $0 |
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 1 | $342,631 |
| 602.1: Other Equipment Purchase and Installation | 1 | $39,877 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Emporia has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hurricane, earthquake, ice storm. The area has had 15 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (7 declarations). 18 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. $690,005 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 3 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.