riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Fauquier County Disaster Risk

Fauquier County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

48th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#39

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

66th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Fauquier County

Risk Verdict

Fauquier County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 48th 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 Fauquier County, scoring in the 72th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 66th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (61th), wildfire (35th), tornado (16th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Fauquier County 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

Fauquier County is significantly riskier than the average county in Virginia. Its composite risk score is 14.4 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 Fauquier County, VA?
Fauquier County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 48th 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 Fauquier County?
Fauquier County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (72th percentile), flooding (66th percentile), earthquake (61th percentile), wildfire (35th percentile), tornado (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 72th 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 Fauquier County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Fauquier County's composite risk percentile is 48th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Fauquier County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Fauquier County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Fauquier County's hurricane risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Fauquier County is at the 66th 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 Fauquier County higher risk than average?
Fauquier County's composite risk score of 48th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (72th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake 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

Montgomery County

Virginia

-0.2

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Halifax County

Virginia

-0.7

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Wythe County

Virginia

+1.0

Relatively Low

49th 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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