riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Chesapeake city Disaster Risk

Chesapeake city, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

81th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#7

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

83th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Chesapeake city

Risk Verdict

Chesapeake city shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 81th 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

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Chesapeake city, scoring in the 92th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 83th percentile. Additional hazards include tornado (72th), earthquake (71th), wildfire (66th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Chesapeake city residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as flood 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

Chesapeake city is significantly riskier than the average county in Virginia. Its composite risk score is 47.6 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 Chesapeake city, VA?
Chesapeake city has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 81th 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 Chesapeake city?
Chesapeake city is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (92th percentile), flooding (83th percentile), tornado (72th percentile), earthquake (71th percentile), wildfire (66th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 92th 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 Chesapeake city risk compare to the Virginia average?
Chesapeake city's composite risk percentile is 81th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Chesapeake city faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Chesapeake city at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Chesapeake city's hurricane risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Chesapeake city is at the 83th 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.
Why is Chesapeake city higher risk than average?
Chesapeake city's composite risk score of 81th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (92th percentile), along with flooding and tornado and earthquake and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Accomack County

Virginia

+0.2

Relatively Moderate

81th percentile

Norfolk city

Virginia

+0.4

Relatively Moderate

81th percentile

Prince William County

Virginia

+2.3

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

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.

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