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

Hampton city Disaster Risk

Hampton city, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

62th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#21

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

80th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hampton city, Virginia

Hampton faces substantial disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 61.74, Hampton city ranks in the "Relatively Low" category but sits dramatically above national averages. This coastal location creates exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly hurricanes and flooding.

Virginia's riskiest jurisdiction in dataset

Hampton's score of 61.74 is 86% higher than Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it the commonwealth's highest-risk location among these counties. Waterfront geography on the Hampton Roads estuary drives this extreme elevation.

Vastly riskier than surrounding counties

Hampton's 61.74 dwarfs all comparison counties, nearly tripling Halifax County's 47.01 and exceeding Gloucester County's 22.61 by nearly 40 points. This city-level coastal concentration creates uniquely elevated hazard exposure.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods converge

Hurricane risk (85.40), tornado risk (56.14), and flood risk (80.40) combine to create Hampton's severe hazard profile—each ranking among Virginia's highest. Earthquake risk (65.04) also exceeds most counties, while wildfire risk (24.27) remains secondary.

Comprehensive multi-hazard protection critical

Hampton residents must obtain flood insurance immediately, reinforce homes against hurricane damage, and develop detailed family evacuation plans for storm season. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood; separate coverage is mandatory for this high-risk coastal community.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hampton city

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    80th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    65th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Hampton city

Risk Verdict

Hampton city's FEMA risk score places it at the 62th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Hampton city's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 80th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (65th percentile), tornado (56th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 85th percentile nationally, Hampton 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. Alongside hurricane exposure, flood at the 80th percentile nationally means Hampton city households should plan for multiple hazard scenarios within a single storm event. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Hampton city households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

The Virginia county average is 28.5 composite points below Hampton city's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Hampton 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 Hampton city, VA?
Hampton city has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 62th 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 Hampton city?
Hampton city is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (85th percentile), flooding (80th percentile), earthquake (65th percentile), tornado (56th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 85th 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 Hampton city risk compare to the Virginia average?
Hampton city's composite risk percentile is 62th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Hampton city faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Hampton city at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Hampton city's hurricane risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hampton city is at the 80th 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 Hampton city higher risk than average?
Hampton city's composite risk score of 62th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (85th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.