Alexandria city Disaster Risk

Alexandria city, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

74th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#12

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

82th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Alexandria city

Risk Verdict

Alexandria city shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 74th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is the dominant hazard for Alexandria city, scoring in the 82th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 80th percentile. Additional hazards include hurricane (79th), tornado (40th), wildfire (6th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Alexandria city residents should review flood insurance needs (standard home insurance does not cover flood damage), know your evacuation zone, and keep important documents waterproofed. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Alexandria city is significantly riskier than the average county in Virginia. Its composite risk score is 40.4 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Alexandria city, VA?
Alexandria city has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 74th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Alexandria city?
Alexandria city is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (82th percentile), earthquake (80th percentile), hurricane (79th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 82th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Alexandria city risk compare to the Virginia average?
Alexandria city's composite risk percentile is 74th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Alexandria city faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Alexandria city at risk for flooding?
Yes, Alexandria city's flooding risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Alexandria city higher risk than average?
Alexandria city's composite risk score of 74th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (82th percentile), along with earthquake and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.