Arlington County Disaster Risk
Arlington County, Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
67th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#17
of 133 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
74th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% 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
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 80% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington's moderate risk exceeds state norm
Arlington County's composite risk score of 66.79 rates as relatively low but remains double Virginia's state average of 33.27. The dense urban jurisdiction faces notable flood (73.79), hurricane (80.43), and earthquake (73.03) exposures.
Urban center with above-average exposure
Arlington ranks in Virginia's upper-middle risk tier with a score of 66.79, reflecting its position as a major metropolitan area with riverfront vulnerability. The county's urban density and infrastructure concentration compound natural hazard impacts.
More exposed than rural counties, safer than Alexandria
Arlington's 66.79 score sits below Alexandria City (73.70) and well above rural piedmont counties like Amelia (11.96). The county's Potomac River location creates shared water hazards with Alexandria but on a slightly smaller scale.
Flooding and hurricanes are primary concerns
Arlington's hurricane risk (80.43) and flood risk (73.79) represent the county's main hazards, driven by tidal Potomac River exposure and urban infrastructure concentration. Earthquake risk (73.03) also warrants attention for older building stock.
Flood insurance and structural retrofits advised
Flood insurance is essential for properties near the Potomac River and in flood-prone areas, and consider seismic retrofits for older residential buildings. Verify your homeowners policy includes comprehensive wind and water damage coverage.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Arlington County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Arlington County
Risk Verdict
Arlington County's FEMA risk score places it at the 67th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Arlington County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (73th percentile), tornado (44th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 80th percentile nationally, Arlington County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Arlington County's flood exposure at the 74th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Arlington County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
The Virginia county average is 33.5 composite points below Arlington County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Arlington County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Arlington County, VA?
What types of natural hazards affect Arlington County?
How does Arlington County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Is Arlington County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Arlington County higher risk than average?
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.