Petersburg city Disaster Risk
Petersburg city, Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
17th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#88
of 133 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
36th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Petersburg city, Virginia
Petersburg ranks in the very low risk tier
Petersburg city scores 16.95 on the composite risk scale, placing it well below the national average and in the very low risk category. The city's lower-than-typical hazard exposure provides a relatively protected environment compared to most U.S. municipalities.
Among Virginia's lowest-risk jurisdictions
At 16.95, Petersburg scores about 49% below Virginia's state average of 33.27, ranking it among the commonwealth's safest communities. The city's below-average positioning reflects its geographic advantages and distance from certain high-risk hazard zones.
Safer than Dinwiddie, comparable to Richmond area
Petersburg's score of 16.95 edges out nearby Dinwiddie County while sitting lower than most Piedmont region communities with higher flood risks. The city's position in the lower James River valley provides some flood exposure while maintaining overall low risk.
Earthquakes and tornadoes top the list
Earthquake risk (66.09) and tornado risk (28.98) represent Petersburg's most significant hazard exposures, though neither approaches state-average severity levels. Flood risk (36.20) and hurricane risk (68.92) rank third and fourth, creating a varied but manageable threat environment.
Standard homeowners coverage covers most risks
Petersburg residents should ensure homeowners policies include wind coverage for tornado and hurricane preparedness, though direct impacts remain relatively infrequent. Those in mapped flood zones should assess flood insurance needs, as Petersburg's James River location poses localized flooding threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Petersburg city
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Petersburg city
Risk Verdict
Petersburg city's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 17th percentile nationally. Petersburg city's lower-than-average risk profile at the 17th percentile makes it a more manageable preparedness environment, but a reviewed household plan remains the right foundation regardless.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Petersburg city's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (36th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), wildfire (15th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane risk is Petersburg city's top-ranked natural hazard at the 69th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Petersburg city's secondary earthquake risk at the 66th percentile nationally reinforces the value of a multi-hazard household plan rather than one focused exclusively on hurricane preparation. Petersburg city's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.
Regional Context
The Virginia county average exceeds Petersburg city's score by 16.3 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Petersburg city's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.