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

Prince Edward County Disaster Risk

Prince Edward County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

32th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#59

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

25th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Prince Edward County, Virginia

Prince Edward ranks below national risk levels

With a composite risk score of 32.4, Prince Edward is very low risk—just slightly below the national average. The county's rural, inland character shields residents from many of the coastal and high-density hazards that elevate national risk.

Nearly matches Virginia's average risk

Prince Edward's score of 32.4 closely tracks Virginia's state average of 33.3, reflecting a fairly typical risk profile for the commonwealth. The county sits in the moderate zone for a rural Virginia jurisdiction.

Safer than Prince William, riskier than Powhatan

Prince Edward (32.4) falls between safer Powhatan County (21.1) and the much higher-risk Prince William County (83.2). This middle-ground position reflects Prince Edward's distance from major flood corridors and urban centers.

Hurricane and earthquake top the risk list

Prince Edward's hurricane risk of 76.5 and earthquake risk of 65.2 exceed tornado (26.6) and flood (25.3) exposures. Though inland, the county remains somewhat vulnerable to tropical systems tracking through Virginia.

Standard insurance covers most perils adequately

Prince Edward homeowners can rely on basic homeowners insurance for typical risks like wind and hail. Consider adding flood coverage if your property sits near a stream or drainage area, and review your policy's windstorm provisions before hurricane season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Prince Edward County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    65th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    27th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Prince Edward County

Risk Verdict

Prince Edward County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 32th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Being ranked at the 32th percentile nationally is an advantage for Prince Edward County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Prince Edward County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (27th percentile), flood (25th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Prince Edward County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 76th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 65th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Prince Edward County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Prince Edward County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

At 0.9 points from the Virginia county mean, Prince Edward County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

Is your household prepared for Prince Edward 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 Prince Edward County, VA?
Prince Edward County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 32th 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 Prince Edward County?
Prince Edward County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (76th percentile), earthquake (65th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), flooding (25th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 76th 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 Prince Edward County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Prince Edward County's composite risk percentile is 32th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Prince Edward County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Prince Edward County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Prince Edward County's hurricane risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Prince Edward County is at the 25th 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 Prince Edward County a safe place to live?
Prince Edward County's composite risk score of 32th 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 76th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lancaster County

Virginia

-0.1

Very Low

32th percentile

Louisa County

Virginia

-0.2

Very Low

32th percentile

Campbell County

Virginia

-0.4

Very Low

32th 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.

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