riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Appomattox County Disaster Risk

Appomattox County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

5th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#122

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

15th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Appomattox County, Virginia

Appomattox has minimal disaster risk

Appomattox County's composite risk score of 5.09 ranks as very low and represents one of Virginia's safest jurisdictions—well below the state average of 33.27. The rural piedmont county faces minimal exposure to natural hazards across all categories.

Virginia's safest county by risk score

With a composite score of 5.09, Appomattox ranks at or near the bottom of Virginia's risk distribution, indicating exceptional natural disaster safety. The county benefits from inland piedmont geography far from coastal, mountain, and seismic zones.

Safest in an already low-risk area

Appomattox's 5.09 score is lower than nearby Amelia (11.96) and Amherst (20.99), making it the safest jurisdiction in its rural cluster. The county's isolation from major geographic hazards creates its advantage.

All hazards present minimal threat

Even Appomattox's highest individual risk scores—hurricane (60.99) and earthquake (41.16)—remain well below state averages. Flood (14.66), wildfire (21.34), and tornado (15.08) risks are all exceptionally low.

Basic insurance and maintenance are sufficient

Your county's exceptional safety profile means standard homeowners coverage typically provides ample protection. Maintain gutters and yard drainage to prevent localized flooding, and review your policy annually.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Appomattox County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    61th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    21th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Appomattox County

Risk Verdict

At the 5th percentile nationally, Appomattox County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. The 5th percentile national ranking is one lens; Appomattox County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Appomattox County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 61th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (21th percentile), tornado (15th percentile), flood (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Appomattox County ranks at the 61th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Earthquake at the 41th percentile nationally is Appomattox County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Appomattox County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

A composite score 28.2 points below the Virginia state average puts Appomattox County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Appomattox County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Appomattox County, VA?
Appomattox County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 5th 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 Appomattox County?
Appomattox County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (61th percentile), earthquake (41th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile), tornado (15th percentile), flooding (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 61th 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 Appomattox County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Appomattox County's composite risk percentile is 5th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Appomattox County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Appomattox County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Appomattox County's hurricane risk is at the 61th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Appomattox County is at the 15th percentile.
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.
Is Appomattox County a safe place to live?
Appomattox County's composite risk score of 5th percentile is below the Virginia state average of 33th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 61th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.