Frederick County Disaster Risk
Frederick County, Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
45th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#46
of 133 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
60th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 60% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 60% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Frederick County, Virginia
Frederick County carries above-average risk
Frederick County's composite risk score of 44.72 exceeds Virginia's state average of 33.27, ranking it in the relatively low category but with significant hazard exposure. Hurricanes (76.39), floods (59.99), and wildfires (57.82) all register as considerable threats.
Frederick ranks in Virginia's riskier half
At 44.72 versus the state average of 33.27, Frederick County sits among Virginia's higher-risk jurisdictions. The county's Shenandoah Valley location exposes it to multiple hazard pathways, from tropical weather systems to seismic activity.
Frederick rivals Fauquier in risk exposure
Frederick's 44.72 score closely mirrors Fauquier County (47.68) and exceeds Franklin County (42.72), while dramatically outpacing Floyd (6.62) and Fluvanna (13.49). The northern Virginia counties share similar geographic vulnerabilities to Atlantic hurricane systems.
Hurricanes, wildfires, and floods converge
Frederick County faces its highest risks from hurricanes (76.39), wildfire (57.82), and floods (59.99)—an unusual triple threat rarely seen in Virginia. Earthquake risk (59.73) and tornado risk (33.37) add additional complexity to the county's hazard profile.
Multi-hazard insurance strategy essential
Frederick County residents face diverse, elevated risks requiring comprehensive insurance planning: separate flood insurance (excluded from standard policies) and wildfire coverage verification are both critical. Consider earthquake insurance as well, given the county's 59.73 score and proximity to seismic zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Frederick County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Frederick County
Risk Verdict
Frederick County's FEMA risk score places it at the 45th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. At the 45th percentile nationally, Frederick County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Frederick County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 60th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (60th percentile), wildfire (58th percentile), tornado (33th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 76th percentile nationally, Frederick County 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. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 60th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Frederick County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Frederick County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
The Virginia county average is 11.5 composite points below Frederick County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Frederick County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Frederick County, VA?
What types of natural hazards affect Frederick County?
How does Frederick County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Is Frederick County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Frederick County higher risk than average?
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.