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

Botetourt County Disaster Risk

Botetourt County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

18th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#83

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

42th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Botetourt County, Virginia

Botetourt ranks among America's safer counties

Botetourt County's composite risk score of 18.10 places it well below the national average, earning a 'Very Low' disaster rating. This strong standing reflects the county's Blue Ridge footprint and distance from major hurricane and tornado corridors. Residents enjoy substantially lower hazard exposure than most Americans.

Virginia's third-safest county overall

Botetourt's score of 18.10 is roughly 45% of Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it one of the state's most protected communities. Only Bath County (5.38) and Bland County (13.04) rank safer statewide. This positioning reflects favorable geography and relative isolation from major storm tracks.

Botetourt sits in low-risk mountain cluster

Bath County (5.38) and Bland County (13.04) share similarly favorable profiles, while Augusta County (68.61) to the east and Buchanan County (50.60) to the southwest show substantially higher exposure. Botetourt anchors the state's safest subcategory. This neighborhood concentration of low risk is genuinely rare in Virginia.

Flood risk outpaces other relatively modest threats

Botetourt's highest hazard—flood risk at 42.37—remains solidly below state average, with hurricane (56.03) and earthquake (35.66) exposure also moderate. Wildfire (25.06) and tornado (12.02) risks are minimal. Overall, this county avoids the severe concentrations of any single hazard type.

Standard coverage is typically sufficient

Botetourt's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance generally provides adequate protection without expensive add-ons. However, examine your specific property's proximity to streams or low-lying terrain, and confirm policy limits match current rebuilding costs. Regular coverage reviews ensure your protection stays aligned with home value changes.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Botetourt County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    56th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    42th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    36th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Botetourt County

Risk Verdict

Botetourt County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 18th percentile nationally. Residents of Botetourt County can use the 18th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Botetourt County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 56th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 42th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (36th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile), tornado (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Botetourt County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 56th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Flood at the 42th percentile nationally is Botetourt County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Botetourt County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

The Virginia county average exceeds Botetourt County's score by 15.2 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Botetourt 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 Botetourt County, VA?
Botetourt County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 18th 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 Botetourt County?
Botetourt County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (56th percentile), flooding (42th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile), tornado (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 56th 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 Botetourt County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Botetourt County's composite risk percentile is 18th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Botetourt County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Botetourt County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Botetourt County's hurricane risk is at the 56th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Botetourt County is at the 42th 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 Botetourt County a safe place to live?
Botetourt County's composite risk score of 18th 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 56th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Dickenson County

Virginia

-0.2

Very Low

18th percentile

Greensville County

Virginia

-0.3

Very Low

18th percentile

Essex County

Virginia

+0.5

Very Low

19th percentile

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.

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