Isle of Wight County Disaster Risk
Isle of Wight County, Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
38th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#53
of 133 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
62th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 48% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 46% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Isle of Wight County, Virginia
Isle of Wight Below National Risk Average
At 37.91, Isle of Wight's composite risk score rates as very low and sits moderately below the national average. The county faces some hazard exposure but remains in the safer portion of the national distribution.
Slightly Above Virginia's State Average
Isle of Wight's 37.91 score edges above Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it just into the moderate range for the commonwealth. The county's coastal location accounts for much of its elevation above state baseline.
Mid-Range Risk for Southeastern Virginia
Isle of Wight (37.91) ranks safer than Henry County (63.61) and Hanover (53.50) but carries higher risk than Hopewell City (17.24) in the broader region. Its proximity to the Atlantic makes it riskier than inland peers.
Hurricanes and Floods Drive Local Risk
Hurricane risk dominates at 82.56, unsurprising for this coastal county, while flooding presents secondary concern at 61.80. Wildfire exposure (48.44) also ranks notably high, reflecting the county's mix of developed and forested areas.
Prioritize Hurricane and Flood Insurance
Obtain flood insurance without delay—the county's 61.80 flood score makes this a critical gap in standard coverage for coastal properties. Review your policy's hurricane/wind coverage limits, as coastal exposure demands premium preparation.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Isle of Wight County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Isle of Wight County
Risk Verdict
Isle of Wight County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 38th percentile nationally. Even at the 38th percentile, Isle of Wight County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Isle of Wight County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (48th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), tornado (32th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane risk is Isle of Wight County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 83th 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. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 62th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Isle of Wight County independent of hurricane season. Isle of Wight 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
At just 4.6 composite points from the Virginia average, Isle of Wight County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Isle of Wight County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Isle of Wight County, VA?
What types of natural hazards affect Isle of Wight County?
How does Isle of Wight County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Is Isle of Wight County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Isle of Wight 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.