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

Roanoke city Disaster Risk

Roanoke city, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

73th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#13

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

84th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Roanoke city, Virginia

Roanoke city faces significant disaster exposure

With a composite risk score of 72.87, Roanoke city ranks well above the national median and carries a "Relatively Low" rating that belies concentrated hazard exposure. Flood (84.13) and earthquake (74.68) risks are particularly pronounced for a Appalachian urban center.

Second-highest risk city in Virginia

Roanoke city's composite score of 72.87 ranks it among Virginia's most exposed jurisdictions, exceeded only by Richmond city's 78.40. The city substantially exceeds the state average of 33.27 across nearly all hazard categories.

Urban risk far exceeds surrounding counties

Roanoke city's 72.87 score dwarfs adjacent Roanoke County (52.19), with urban infrastructure and valley geography amplifying flood vulnerability. The city's earthquake exposure (74.68) significantly exceeds the surrounding mountain region's typical risk.

Flooding and earthquakes dominate hazard profile

Flood risk of 84.13 leads all hazards in Roanoke city, driven by the Roanoke River's seasonal flooding and valley drainage patterns. Earthquake risk of 74.68 reflects proximity to regional seismic zones, while hurricane exposure of 74.59 surprises many mountain residents.

Flood and earthquake insurance are non-negotiable

Roanoke city residents must obtain separate flood and earthquake policies—standard homeowners insurance covers neither despite your composite risk of 72.87. Review your property's specific flood zone designation and elevation relative to the Roanoke River immediately.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Roanoke city

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    75th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    75th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Roanoke city

Risk Verdict

At the 73th percentile nationally, Roanoke city experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Roanoke city's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Roanoke city's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (75th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Roanoke city's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. Earthquake, which ranks at the 75th percentile nationally for Roanoke city, represents an additional preparedness dimension beyond the primary flood threat. Roanoke city's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.

Regional Context

Roanoke city falls 39.6 points above Virginia's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Roanoke 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 Roanoke city, VA?
Roanoke city has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 73th 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 Roanoke city?
Roanoke city is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (84th percentile), earthquake (75th percentile), hurricane (75th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), wildfire (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 84th 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 Roanoke city risk compare to the Virginia average?
Roanoke city's composite risk percentile is 73th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Roanoke city faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Roanoke city at risk for flooding?
Yes, Roanoke city's flooding risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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 Roanoke city higher risk than average?
Roanoke city's composite risk score of 73th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (84th percentile), along with earthquake and hurricane 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

Newport News city

Virginia

-0.6

Relatively Low

72th percentile

Alexandria city

Virginia

+0.8

Relatively Low

74th percentile

Rockingham County

Virginia

+2.2

Relatively Low

75th 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.

Explore more data for Roanoke city

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score