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

King William County Disaster Risk

King William County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

8th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#112

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

51th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in King William County, Virginia

King William: Lowest Risk in Virginia

King William County's composite risk score of 8.27 and Very Low rating represent some of the lowest disaster risk nationally. Your county faces minimal cumulative natural hazard threats compared to most U.S. counties.

Virginia's Safest County Profile

With a score of 8.27, King William sits well below Virginia's state average of 33.27 and ranks among the commonwealth's lowest-risk counties. This exceptional score reflects limited exposure across all major hazard types.

Safest in Its Region

King William's 8.27 score is the lowest among nearby counties including King George (12.75), King and Queen (16.19), and Louisa (32.19). Your county ranks as the safest in its immediate area.

Flood and Hurricane Pose Modest Risks

King William's highest hazard exposures are flooding (50.60) and hurricanes (63.66), both moderate relative to the county's low overall score. Tornadoes (19.37) and earthquakes (36.61) are secondary concerns, while wildfire risk remains minimal at 8.91.

Maintain Basic Flood and Storm Coverage

While your county faces low disaster risk overall, flood damage isn't covered by standard homeowners insurance—add it to your policy for protection. Ensure your coverage includes wind and hurricane damage, especially given proximity to coastal systems.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in King William County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    51th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    37th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: King William County

Risk Verdict

King William County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 8th percentile nationally. King William County residents can take confidence from a 8th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is King William County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 51th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (37th percentile), tornado (19th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 64th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, King William County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Flood at the 51th percentile nationally is King William County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. King William County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

King William County falls 25.0 points below Virginia's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for King William 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 King William County, VA?
King William County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 8th 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 King William County?
King William County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (64th percentile), flooding (51th percentile), earthquake (37th percentile), tornado (19th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 64th 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 King William County risk compare to the Virginia average?
King William County's composite risk percentile is 8th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means King William County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is King William County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, King William County's hurricane risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, King William County is at the 51th 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 King William County a safe place to live?
King William County's composite risk score of 8th 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 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.