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

Covington city Disaster Risk

Covington city, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#105

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

24th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Covington city, Virginia

Covington ranks among nation's safest places

With a composite risk score of 9.67, Covington is very low risk and sits well below the national average. Its mountain location in western Virginia insulates it from most major hazard exposure.

Among Virginia's most protected communities

Covington's score of 9.67 ranks among the lowest in Virginia, dramatically below the state average of 33.27. The city benefits from geographic isolation and minimal exposure to coastal or seismic hazards.

Comparable to other western mountain areas

Covington's 9.67 score is similar to Craig County (6.23) and Clarke County (6.93) in Virginia's piedmont and mountain regions. All three reflect rural, inland vulnerability patterns.

Minimal hazard exposure across all categories

Covington's highest risk is hurricane at 43.93, followed by earthquake at 26.88—both well below state averages. Wildfire risk is negligible at 0.16, and tornado risk is minimal at 5.38.

Standard insurance provides ample protection

Covington residents can rely on basic homeowners coverage for their needs without specialized riders. Focus preparedness efforts on year-round home maintenance rather than specialized disaster insurance.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Covington city

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    44th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    27th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    24th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Covington city

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Covington city ranks at the 10th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. No county at the 10th percentile is entirely free of natural hazard exposure; Covington city residents benefit from staying alert to local conditions and signing up for county emergency alerts.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Covington city's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 44th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 27th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (24th percentile), tornado (5th percentile), wildfire (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 44th percentile nationally, Covington city 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. Covington city's secondary earthquake risk at the 27th percentile nationally reinforces the value of a multi-hazard household plan rather than one focused exclusively on hurricane preparation. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Covington city households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 23.6 points below the Virginia state average, Covington city is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Covington city'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 Covington city, VA?
Covington city has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 10th 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 Covington city?
Covington city is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (44th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), flooding (24th percentile), tornado (5th percentile), wildfire (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 44th 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 Covington city risk compare to the Virginia average?
Covington city's composite risk percentile is 10th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Covington city faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Covington city at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Covington city's hurricane risk is at the 44th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Covington city is at the 24th 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 Covington city a safe place to live?
Covington city's composite risk score of 10th 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 44th 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.