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

James City County Disaster Risk

James City County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

53th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#31

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

61th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in James City County, Virginia

James City Risk Moderately Above National Average

James City County's composite risk score of 53.34 ranks as relatively low but exceeds the national average, indicating moderate hazard exposure. The county faces real but manageable disaster threats.

Above Virginia's State Average

At 53.34, James City's score significantly exceeds Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it in the upper-middle range of risk statewide. The county's location between riverine and coastal zones drives this elevation.

Similar Risk to Nearby Hanover County

James City (53.34) faces nearly identical exposure to Hanover County (53.50) just to the north, and both significantly exceed Harrisonburg (26.59) and Hopewell (17.24). The pair represent the mid-tier risk counties in central Virginia.

Hurricanes, Floods, and Tornadoes Converge

Hurricane exposure ranks highest at 82.10, driven by Atlantic coastal influences, while flood risk reaches 60.81 in areas near the James River and tributaries. Tornado risk (51.15) adds a third significant threat to residents' preparation checklist.

Secure Flood and Earthquake Coverage Today

Flood insurance is essential for James City properties, especially those near waterways, given the county's 60.81 flood score. Adding earthquake protection (risk score 61.07) provides comprehensive coverage against your two most significant uninsured hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in James City County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    82th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    61th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    61th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: James City County

Risk Verdict

James City County ranks at the 53th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is James City County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (61th percentile), tornado (51th percentile), wildfire (46th percentile).

Preparedness Context

James City County ranks at the 82th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Earthquake at the 61th percentile nationally is James City County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in James City County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

Compared to other Virginia counties, James City County runs 20.1 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for James City 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 James City County, VA?
James City County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 53th 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 James City County?
James City County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (82th percentile), earthquake (61th percentile), flooding (61th percentile), tornado (51th percentile), wildfire (46th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 82th 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 James City County risk compare to the Virginia average?
James City County's composite risk percentile is 53th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means James City County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is James City County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, James City County's hurricane risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, James City County is at the 61th 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 James City County higher risk than average?
James City County's composite risk score of 53th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (82th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hanover County

Virginia

+0.2

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Spotsylvania County

Virginia

-0.4

Relatively Low

53th percentile

Portsmouth city

Virginia

+0.6

Relatively Low

54th 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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