Natural Disasters in Richmond, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
78.4
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
79.2
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
38.9
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
53.3
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Earthquake | 92.7 |
| Heat Wave | 88.3 |
| Hurricane | 79.3 |
| Tornado | 66.8 |
| Ice Storm | 59.6 |
| Hail | 59.4 |
| Lightning | 57.7 |
| Cold Wave | 54.5 |
| Winter Weather | 53.2 |
| Coastal Flood | 39.8 |
| Strong Wind | 29.5 |
| Landslide | 21.0 |
| Wildfire | 18.0 |
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
20
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
8 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 |
| Oct 15, 2018 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLORENCE |
| Sep 11, 2018 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLORENCE |
| Oct 29, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Sep 3, 2011 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRENE |
| Aug 26, 2011 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRENE |
| Sep 22, 2006 | Severe Storm | TROPICAL DEPRESSION ERNESTO, SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Sep 12, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 3, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING AND TORNADOES ASSOCIATED W TD GASTON |
| Sep 18, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| Feb 28, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| Sep 18, 1999 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLOYD MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATIONS |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 10, 1994 | Snowstorm | SEVERE ICE STORMS, FLOODING |
| Mar 25, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Nov 9, 1985 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Jan 26, 1977 | Freezing | ICE CONDITIONS |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Flood | TROPICAL STORM AGNES |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
14,360
Total IA Distributed
$18,577,082
Repair/Replace
$5,189,436
Rental Assistance
$2,382,175
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1969 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4042 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-1570 | 11 | N/A | — |
| DR-4512 | 1,335 | $7,497,073 | — |
| DR-1544 | 3,712 | $7,214,801 | $2,236 |
| DR-1491 | 9,277 | $3,858,456 | $1,267 |
| DR-4484 | 1 | $4,612 | — |
| DR-4831 | 22 | $2,140 | — |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
547
Total Claims Paid
$11,849,261
Avg Claim Payout
$21,662
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
7
Federal Funding
$191,600
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.69
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan) | 3 | $121,270 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 2 | $23,500 |
| 701.2: Technical Assistance - Application Development/Review | 1 | $26,580 |
| 403.3: Stormwater Management - Flapgates/Floodgates | 1 | $20,250 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Richmond has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are earthquake, heat wave, hurricane. The area has had 20 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (8 declarations). 547 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. $18,577,082 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 7 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.