Natural Disasters in Harrisonburg, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
26.6
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
31.1
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
34.3
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
16.0
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Hurricane | 70.6 |
| Earthquake | 65.1 |
| Strong Wind | 61.1 |
| Lightning | 58.0 |
| Winter Weather | 44.5 |
| Heat Wave | 41.2 |
| Hail | 37.0 |
| Landslide | 26.3 |
| Ice Storm | 23.6 |
| Tornado | 23.2 |
| Cold Wave | 16.3 |
| Wildfire | 10.6 |
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
14
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 |
| 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 27, 1996 | Flood | FLOODING, HIGH WINDS, AND WIND DRIVEN RAIN |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 25, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Nov 9, 1985 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Flood | TROPICAL STORM AGNES |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
55
Total Claims Paid
$761,720
Avg Claim Payout
$13,849
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Harrisonburg has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hurricane, earthquake, strong wind. The area has had 14 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (5 declarations). 55 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area.