Natural Disasters in Hiwassee, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
45.9
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
39.9
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
72.3
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
50.7
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Landslide | 87.6 |
| Drought | 68.3 |
| Earthquake | 68.0 |
| Cold Wave | 55.8 |
| Avalanche | 55.0 |
| Hurricane | 51.9 |
| Winter Weather | 46.3 |
| Strong Wind | 44.9 |
| Lightning | 36.1 |
| Hail | 27.4 |
| Wildfire | 25.9 |
| Ice Storm | 23.0 |
| Tornado | 17.7 |
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
Severe Storm
5 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 |
| Sep 29, 2024 | Tropical Storm | POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE 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 |
| Sep 12, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Mar 27, 2003 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM, RECORD/NEAR RECORD SNOWFALL, HEAVY RAIN,FLOODIND, AND MUDSLIDE |
| Feb 28, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| Jan 27, 1996 | Flood | FLOODING, HIGH WINDS, AND WIND DRIVEN RAIN |
| 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 |
| May 19, 1992 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Nov 12, 1977 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
Showing 20 of 22 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
99
Total Claims Paid
$2,610,708
Avg Claim Payout
$26,371
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$758,560
Disasters with PA
4
Total Projects
26
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4831 | Tropical Storm | 14 | $639,204 |
| DR-4863 | Winter Storm | 3 | $73,979 |
| DR-4072 | Severe Storm(s) | 5 | $32,946 |
| DR-4401 | Hurricane | 4 | $12,431 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
8
Federal Funding
$533,571
Properties Protected
11
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.19
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 4 | $418,371 |
| 600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan) | 2 | $41,250 |
| 601.1: Generators | 1 | $73,950 |
| 300.2: Vegetation Management - Wildfire | 1 | $0 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Hiwassee has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, drought, earthquake. The area has had 22 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (5 declarations). 99 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $758,560 in public assistance recovery funding. 8 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.