Natural Disasters in Lynchburg, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
49.3
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
50.0
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
49.2
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
76.6
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Strong Wind | 78.4 |
| Hurricane | 74.3 |
| Lightning | 74.0 |
| Earthquake | 73.0 |
| Landslide | 66.1 |
| Winter Weather | 48.3 |
| Ice Storm | 47.3 |
| Heat Wave | 45.2 |
| Tornado | 31.8 |
| Hail | 28.3 |
| Cold Wave | 17.2 |
| Wildfire | 8.7 |
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
17
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 |
| 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) |
| Jul 1, 1995 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Mar 10, 1994 | Snowstorm | SEVERE ICE STORMS, FLOODING |
| Mar 25, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| May 19, 1992 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Nov 9, 1985 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Flood | TROPICAL STORM AGNES |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
601
Total IA Distributed
$3,407,661
Repair/Replace
$14,767
Rental Assistance
$2,888
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4611 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-1458 | 2 | N/A | — |
| DR-4512 | 570 | $3,383,786 | — |
| DR-1491 | 20 | $22,805 | $1,535 |
| DR-4831 | 8 | $1,070 | — |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
151
Total Claims Paid
$4,076,181
Avg Claim Payout
$26,995
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
2
Federal Funding
$146,607
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.00
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 91.3: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $82,500 |
| 600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan) | 1 | $64,107 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Lynchburg has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are strong wind, hurricane, lightning. The area has had 17 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (5 declarations). 151 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. $3,407,661 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 2 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.