Natural Disasters in Salem, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
18.6
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
31.2
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
12.8
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
78.6
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Hurricane | 57.7 |
| Earthquake | 49.0 |
| Strong Wind | 36.5 |
| Lightning | 32.3 |
| Landslide | 27.4 |
| Winter Weather | 26.2 |
| Cold Wave | 17.7 |
| Ice Storm | 13.3 |
| Hail | 12.7 |
| Tornado | 12.6 |
| Heat Wave | 11.1 |
| Wildfire | 1.4 |
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
13
Most Recent
Biological
Apr 2020
Most Common Type
Hurricane
3 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Oct 18, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING FROM THE REMANANTS OF HURRICANE JEANNE |
| Mar 27, 2003 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM, RECORD/NEAR RECORD SNOWFALL, HEAVY RAIN,FLOODIND, AND MUDSLIDE |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| 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
1,630
Total IA Distributed
$7,097,037
Repair/Replace
$832,055
Rental Assistance
$386,255
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4831 | 4 | N/A | — |
| DR-1544 | 4 | N/A | — |
| DR-1491 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4512 | 789 | $4,301,547 | — |
| DR-1570 | 622 | $1,744,530 | $2,689 |
| DR-1458 | 208 | $1,039,960 | $1,449 |
| DR-4513 | 1 | $7,058 | — |
| DR-1838 | 1 | $3,942 | $3,942 |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
812
Total Claims Paid
$18,850,736
Avg Claim Payout
$23,215
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
14
Federal Funding
$2,467,416
Properties Protected
21
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
3.25
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 8 | $1,700,073 |
| 91.3: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $58,141 |
| 204.1: Dry Floodproofing Private Structures - Riverine (Commercial) | 1 | $213,750 |
| 200.3: Acquisition of Public Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 1 | $262,500 |
| 800.1: Miscellaneous | 1 | $0 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Salem 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 13 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (3 declarations). 812 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. $7,097,037 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 14 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.