Natural Disasters in Winchester, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
16.9
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
17.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
47.6
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
45.9
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Hurricane | 69.9 |
| Earthquake | 63.0 |
| Winter Weather | 50.0 |
| Heat Wave | 48.7 |
| Strong Wind | 44.3 |
| Hail | 42.4 |
| Lightning | 29.4 |
| Tornado | 25.3 |
| Ice Storm | 12.3 |
| Landslide | 11.8 |
| Cold Wave | 10.5 |
| Wildfire | 5.2 |
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
14
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
4 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 |
| Mar 7, 2016 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Oct 29, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Jul 27, 2012 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| Apr 27, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORMS |
| Sep 12, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 18, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| 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 |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Flood | TROPICAL STORM AGNES |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
528
Total IA Distributed
$2,794,095
Repair/Replace
$27,141
Rental Assistance
$11,246
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4831 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4513 | 2 | N/A | — |
| DR-1570 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-1544 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4339 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4175 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4512 | 473 | $2,741,138 | — |
| DR-1491 | 48 | $52,957 | $1,768 |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
17
Total Claims Paid
$100,601
Avg Claim Payout
$5,918
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
4
Federal Funding
$254,062
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.00
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 2 | $77,581 |
| 601.1: Generators; 800.1: Miscellaneous | 1 | $58,527 |
| 91.3: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $117,954 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Winchester has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hurricane, earthquake, winter weather. The area has had 14 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (4 declarations). 17 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. $2,794,095 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 4 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.