riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Portsmouth city Disaster Risk

Portsmouth city, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

54th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#29

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

64th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Portsmouth city

Risk Verdict

Portsmouth city shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 54th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Portsmouth city, scoring in the 87th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 65th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (64th), tornado (51th), wildfire (20th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Portsmouth city residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Portsmouth city is significantly riskier than the average county in Virginia. Its composite risk score is 20.7 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Portsmouth city, VA?
Portsmouth city has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 54th 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 Portsmouth city?
Portsmouth city is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (87th percentile), earthquake (65th percentile), flooding (64th percentile), tornado (51th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 87th 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 Portsmouth city risk compare to the Virginia average?
Portsmouth city's composite risk percentile is 54th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Portsmouth city faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Portsmouth city at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Portsmouth city's hurricane risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Portsmouth city is at the 64th 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 Portsmouth city higher risk than average?
Portsmouth city's composite risk score of 54th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (87th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding and tornado 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

Mecklenburg County

Virginia

+0.3

Relatively Low

54th percentile

Hanover County

Virginia

-0.5

Relatively Low

53th percentile

James City County

Virginia

-0.6

Relatively Low

53th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

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