Dinwiddie County Disaster Risk
Dinwiddie County, Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
19th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#79
of 133 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
22th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 22% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 22% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 28% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 55% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Dinwiddie County, Virginia
Dinwiddie ranks very low nationally
Dinwiddie's composite risk score of 19.34 places it in the very low category, far below the national average. The county enjoys broad protection across most hazard types, though it shows moderate earthquake risk (55.41) compared to its other low exposures.
Well below Virginia's average risk
Dinwiddie's score of 19.34 sits significantly below Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it one of the commonwealth's safer communities. This advantage extends across flood, wildfire, and tornado categories, where Dinwiddie consistently underperforms the state mean.
Dinwiddie among the region's safest
Dinwiddie's composite score of 19.34 is comparable to nearby Essex County (18.58) and well below Danville city's 68.03. Both Dinwiddie and Essex remain in the very low risk category, offering residents substantial protection relative to other Virginia localities.
Earthquake poses secondary concern
Dinwiddie's earthquake risk of 55.41 is the county's highest hazard exposure, though it remains moderate compared to other Virginia counties. Flood risk (22.11), tornado risk (28.05), and wildfire risk (21.88) all present minimal threats, while hurricane risk stands at 66.54.
Focus on earthquake preparedness
While Dinwiddie's overall risk is low, residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances to walls to reduce earthquake damage. Maintain standard homeowner's insurance and ensure your family has an emergency plan for sheltering in place during seismic events.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Dinwiddie County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Dinwiddie County
Risk Verdict
At the 19th percentile nationally, Dinwiddie County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Even at the 19th percentile, Dinwiddie County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Dinwiddie County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (28th percentile), flood (22th percentile), wildfire (22th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Dinwiddie County ranks at the 67th 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 55th percentile nationally is Dinwiddie County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Dinwiddie 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 13.9 points below the Virginia state average puts Dinwiddie County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Dinwiddie County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.