Manassas city Disaster Risk
Manassas city, Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
17th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#90
of 133 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
32th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 1% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 28% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Manassas city, Virginia
Manassas well below national risk average
With a composite risk score of 16.63 and a Very Low rating, Manassas city faces significantly lower natural disaster risk than the typical U.S. community. The city's score is well below Virginia's state average of 33.27, reflecting a relatively protected location.
Among Virginia's lowest-risk communities
Manassas city ranks in Virginia's safer tier for natural disaster exposure, with its Very Low rating placing it among the top-performing communities in the state. The city's risk profile is similar to other protected northern Virginia communities.
Safer than similar northern Virginia cities
Manassas's risk score of 16.63 is lower than neighboring Lynchburg city (49.30) and comparable to Manassas Park city (4.93), its closest geographic peer. The city benefits from northern Virginia's generally lower exposure to major hurricane and flood systems.
Tornado and earthquake pose main threats
Tornado risk at 28.47 represents Manassas's most significant hazard exposure, followed by earthquake risk at 55.88. Flood risk (31.68) is moderate but elevated relative to the city's other threats, while wildfire risk remains minimal at 0.80.
Tornado coverage protects Manassas homes
Manassas residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance with windstorm and hail coverage to address the city's primary tornado risk. Standard policies typically cover tornado damage, but renters should verify their coverage specifically addresses severe convective weather threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Manassas city
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Manassas city
Risk Verdict
At the 17th percentile nationally, Manassas city experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Residents of Manassas city can use the 17th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Manassas city's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (32th percentile), tornado (28th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Manassas city ranks at the 65th 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 56th percentile nationally is Manassas city's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Manassas city'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
A composite score 16.6 points below the Virginia state average puts Manassas city in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Manassas city's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Manassas city, VA?
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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.