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

Lee County Disaster Risk

Lee County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

57th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#27

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

73th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lee County, Virginia

Lee County: Above-Average Disaster Risk

Lee County's composite risk score of 57.32 and Relatively Low rating indicate above-average natural disaster exposure compared to most U.S. counties. Your county faces more cumulative hazard threats than the national average.

Virginia's Riskiest County

At 57.32, Lee County significantly exceeds Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it the commonwealth's highest-risk county in this analysis. This elevated score reflects substantial exposure across multiple hazard types.

Risk Stands Out in Region

Lee County's 57.32 score far exceeds nearby Wise County and other southwestern Virginia peers, making it the region's highest-risk location. Your county faces notably greater natural disaster exposure than surrounding areas.

Wildfire and Flood Risks Dominate

Lee County faces exceptional wildfire risk (80.57) and significant flood exposure (72.81), both driven by Appalachian terrain and weather patterns. Earthquakes (60.43) and tornadoes (34.92) also present meaningful concerns for the county.

Wildfire and Flood Coverage Critical

Given your county's elevated wildfire (80.57) and flood (72.81) risks, ensure your homeowners policy includes flood coverage and review wildfire provisions carefully. Consider defensible space measures around your home and keep emergency evacuation plans current.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lee County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    73th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    60th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lee County

Risk Verdict

At the 57th percentile nationally, Lee County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Lee County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Lee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 73th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (60th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile), tornado (35th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Lee County's primary hazard at the 81th percentile nationally. For Lee County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 73th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Lee County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Lee County falls 24.0 points above Virginia's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Lee 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 Lee County, VA?
Lee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 57th 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 Lee County?
Lee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (81th percentile), flooding (73th percentile), earthquake (60th percentile), hurricane (41th percentile), tornado (35th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 81th 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 Lee County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Lee County's composite risk percentile is 57th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lee County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Lee County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lee County's wildfire risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lee County is at the 73th 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 Lee County higher risk than average?
Lee County's composite risk score of 57th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (81th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake 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

Smyth County

Virginia

+0.5

Relatively Low

58th percentile

Virginia Beach city

Virginia

+0.5

Relatively Low

58th percentile

Shenandoah County

Virginia

+2.5

Relatively Low

60th 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.

Explore more data for Lee County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score