Natural Disasters in Portsmouth, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
54.0
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
57.1
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
37.4
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
76.1
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Hurricane | 86.6 |
| Winter Weather | 76.0 |
| Heat Wave | 74.3 |
| Lightning | 68.0 |
| Earthquake | 64.9 |
| Coastal Flood | 64.2 |
| Ice Storm | 58.4 |
| Tornado | 51.0 |
| Cold Wave | 48.4 |
| Strong Wind | 38.8 |
| Hail | 37.8 |
| Wildfire | 19.8 |
| Landslide | 7.4 |
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
18
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
10 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 |
| Nov 2, 2016 | Hurricane | HURRICANE MATTHEW |
| Oct 29, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Sep 3, 2011 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRENE |
| Aug 26, 2011 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRENE |
| Dec 9, 2009 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING ASSOCIATED WITH TROPICAL DEPRESSION IDA AND A NOR'EAST |
| Sep 12, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 18, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| Sep 18, 1999 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLOYD MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATIONS |
| Sep 16, 1999 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLOYD EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS |
| Sep 4, 1998 | Hurricane | HURRICANE BONNIE |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 25, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jan 26, 1977 | Freezing | ICE CONDITIONS |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Flood | TROPICAL STORM AGNES |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
16,963
Total IA Distributed
$13,967,751
Repair/Replace
$2,346,187
Rental Assistance
$2,871,930
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4673 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4285 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-1544 | 2 | N/A | — |
| DR-1491 | 14,530 | $7,836,214 | $1,553 |
| DR-4512 | 852 | $4,442,856 | — |
| DR-4291 | 1,549 | $1,685,964 | $1,124 |
| DR-4513 | 1 | $1,647 | — |
| DR-4831 | 27 | $1,070 | — |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
1,737
Total Claims Paid
$20,034,923
Avg Claim Payout
$11,534
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
4
Federal Funding
$7,797,788
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
6.35
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 904.2: Advance Assistance (FMA and PDMC) | 2 | $287,813 |
| 402.3: Infrastructure Protective Measures | 1 | $7,485,000 |
| 91.2: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan - NEW | 1 | $24,975 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Portsmouth has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hurricane, winter weather, heat wave. The area has had 18 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (10 declarations). 1,737 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. $13,967,751 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 4 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.