Natural Disasters in Waynesboro, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
10.3
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
18.3
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
15.0
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
80.9
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Hurricane | 61.4 |
| Earthquake | 48.3 |
| Lightning | 29.5 |
| Strong Wind | 28.5 |
| Winter Weather | 25.4 |
| Heat Wave | 22.4 |
| Landslide | 19.6 |
| Hail | 19.2 |
| Tornado | 16.4 |
| Ice Storm | 16.0 |
| Cold Wave | 10.9 |
| Wildfire | 2.6 |
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
15
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 |
| Apr 27, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORMS |
| Feb 16, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Sep 12, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 18, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| Sep 6, 1996 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FRAN AND ASSOCIATED SEVERE STORM COND |
| Jan 27, 1996 | Flood | FLOODING, HIGH WINDS, AND WIND DRIVEN RAIN |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 25, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Nov 9, 1985 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Flood | TROPICAL STORM AGNES |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
397
Total IA Distributed
$1,564,354
Repair/Replace
$182,028
Rental Assistance
$65,474
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1544 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4512 | 195 | $1,122,322 | — |
| DR-1491 | 190 | $436,315 | $1,522 |
| DR-4042 | 6 | $4,647 | $334 |
| DR-4831 | 5 | $1,070 | — |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
367
Total Claims Paid
$5,990,385
Avg Claim Payout
$16,323
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
9
Federal Funding
$1,032,162
Properties Protected
21
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.38
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 100.1: Public Awareness and Education (Brochures, Workshops, Videos, etc.) | 3 | $32,108 |
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 3 | $869,491 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $24,524 |
| 91.4: Local Multijurisdictional Multihazard Mitigation Plan - NEW | 1 | $30,000 |
| 91.5: Local Multijurisdictional Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $76,039 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Waynesboro has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hurricane, earthquake, lightning. The area has had 15 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (5 declarations). 367 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. $1,564,354 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 9 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.