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

Lexington city Disaster Risk

Lexington city, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

4th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#126

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

13th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lexington city, Virginia

Lexington: Exceptionally Safe City

Lexington City's composite risk score of 3.72 and Very Low rating represent some of the lowest disaster risk in the nation. Your city faces minimal cumulative natural hazard threats compared to virtually all U.S. communities.

Virginia's Safest Community

At 3.72, Lexington City sits far below Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it the commonwealth's lowest-risk jurisdiction. This exceptional score reflects minimal exposure across nearly all natural hazard categories.

Safer Than All Surrounding Counties

Lexington's 3.72 score is dramatically lower than neighboring Rockbridge County and all adjacent Virginia counties in this analysis. Your city ranks as the safest location in its region.

Earthquake Risk Tops Minimal Threats

Lexington City's only notable hazard exposure is earthquake risk at 46.18, likely driven by regional seismic activity patterns. Flooding (13.10), hurricanes (58.03), and tornadoes (9.54) all remain minimal concerns; wildfire risk is nearly negligible at 2.32.

Basic Coverage Sufficient Here

Your city's exceptional safety profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents. Consider earthquake coverage if you own an older home, but your overall natural disaster risk remains among the nation's lowest.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lexington city

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    58th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    46th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    13th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Lexington city

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Lexington city ranks at the 4th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Lexington city's 4th percentile ranking in FEMA's National Risk Index reflects a relatively safe hazard environment; the specific hazard scores above identify which risks warrant the most household attention.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lexington city's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 46th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (13th percentile), tornado (10th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 58th percentile nationally, Lexington city sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. The county's secondary earthquake risk at the 46th percentile nationally means Lexington city faces compounding hazards — inland flooding often follows landfalling hurricanes even well away from the coast. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Lexington city households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 29.5 points below the Virginia state average, Lexington city is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Lexington city'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 Lexington city, VA?
Lexington city has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 4th 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 Lexington city?
Lexington city is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (58th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), flooding (13th percentile), tornado (10th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 58th 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 Lexington city risk compare to the Virginia average?
Lexington city's composite risk percentile is 4th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lexington city faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Lexington city at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lexington city's hurricane risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Lexington city is at the 13th 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 Lexington city a safe place to live?
Lexington city's composite risk score of 4th 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 58th 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.