Harrisonburg city Disaster Risk
Harrisonburg city, Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
27th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#67
of 133 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
44th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 23% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 71% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Harrisonburg city, Virginia
Harrisonburg Enjoys Very Low National Risk
At 26.59, Harrisonburg's composite risk score falls well below the national average, marking it as very low risk. This score reflects favorable geographic and demographic conditions that reduce overall disaster exposure.
Among Virginia's Safest Communities
Harrisonburg's 26.59 score sits notably below Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it comfortably in the lower-risk tier statewide. The city-level data reflects concentrated development patterns and distance from major coastal hazards.
Valley's Safest City by a Wide Margin
Harrisonburg's 26.59 makes it substantially safer than neighboring Henry County (63.61) and Hanover County (53.50) across the state. Among Virginia's incorporated cities and counties, it ranks among the top performers.
Hurricanes and Earthquakes Present Rare Threats
Despite low overall risk, Harrisonburg still registers hurricane exposure at 70.63 and earthquake risk at 65.08, reflecting residual statewide hazards. Flooding (44.18) ranks as the city's most localized concern in areas near the Shenandoah River.
Maintain Standard Coverage for Rare Events
Your existing homeowners policy likely covers most scenarios in Harrisonburg, but adding flood insurance remains prudent given any riverine proximity. Check your earthquake coverage limits even in this low-risk area for complete peace of mind.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Harrisonburg city
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Harrisonburg city
Risk Verdict
Harrisonburg city's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 27th percentile nationally. No county at the 27th percentile is entirely free of natural hazard exposure; Harrisonburg city residents benefit from staying alert to local conditions and signing up for county emergency alerts.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Harrisonburg city's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 71th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (44th percentile), tornado (23th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane risk is Harrisonburg city's top-ranked natural hazard at the 71th 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. The county's secondary earthquake risk at the 65th percentile nationally means Harrisonburg city faces compounding hazards — inland flooding often follows landfalling hurricanes even well away from the coast. Harrisonburg city'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 Harrisonburg city's score by 6.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Harrisonburg city'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.