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

Greene County Disaster Risk

Greene County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

9th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#108

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

25th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Greene County, Virginia

Greene County has exceptionally low risk

With a composite risk score of just 9.29, Greene County achieves "Very Low" status and ranks among the nation's safest counties for natural disasters. This piedmont location benefits from distance to both coasts and major fault lines.

Virginia's safest county by composite score

Greene County's 9.29 score is dramatically lower than Virginia's 33.27 state average, making it the commonwealth's most protected county overall. Only a handful of Virginia counties approach this level of disaster resilience.

Exceptional safety in central region

Greene County's 9.29 substantially outperforms all nearby counties, including Giles County (16.57) and Grayson County (24.65), establishing it as a true safe haven. Piedmont geography and elevation create ideal protective conditions.

Hurricanes and wildfires are secondary concerns

Hurricane risk (63.45) and wildfire risk (42.81) rank highest for Greene County, though both remain moderate and well below state averages. Flood (24.81), earthquake (41.98), and tornado (14.25) risks all stay minimal.

Standard homeowners insurance likely sufficient

Greene County residents enjoy minimal natural disaster exposure and can typically rely on comprehensive homeowners insurance for protection. Those with properties near waterways should verify flood coverage regardless.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Greene County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    42th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Greene County

Risk Verdict

Greene County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 9th percentile nationally. Greene County's 9th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Greene County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (42th percentile), flood (25th percentile), tornado (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Greene County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 63th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Greene County's wildfire exposure at the 43th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Greene County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

The Virginia county average exceeds Greene County's score by 24.0 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Greene County'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 Greene County, VA?
Greene County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 9th 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 Greene County?
Greene County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (63th percentile), wildfire (43th percentile), earthquake (42th percentile), flooding (25th percentile), tornado (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 63th 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 Greene County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Greene County's composite risk percentile is 9th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Greene County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Greene County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Greene County's hurricane risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Greene County is at the 25th 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 Greene County a safe place to live?
Greene County's composite risk score of 9th 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 63th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Charles City County

Virginia

+0.0

Very Low

9th percentile

Martinsville city

Virginia

+0.3

Very Low

10th percentile

Covington city

Virginia

+0.4

Very Low

10th percentile

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.

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