Roanoke County Disaster Risk
Roanoke County, Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
52th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#33
of 133 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
69th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 25% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 68% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Roanoke County, Virginia
Roanoke County carries moderate disaster exposure
Roanoke County's composite risk score of 52.19 sits above the national median and exceeds Virginia's state average of 33.27, earning a "Relatively Low" rating. The county's risk reflects mountain geography with flood-prone valleys and measurable seismic exposure.
Middle-tier risk among Virginia counties
Roanoke County ranks in the mid-range of Virginia jurisdictions at 52.19, substantially safer than the adjacent city (72.87) but riskier than most rural mountain counties. The county exceeds the state average by 57 percent across its composite score.
Riskier than Russell County, safer than the city
Roanoke County's 52.19 score stands above Russell County (36.55) and Rockbridge County (33.30), yet well below neighboring Roanoke city (72.87). The rural-urban risk gradient is striking across this region.
Floods and wildfires require serious attention
Flood risk of 69.21 leads all hazards in Roanoke County, followed by wildfire risk of 32.32—notably higher than surrounding counties due to Appalachian forest coverage. Hurricane exposure of 68.46 and earthquake risk of 57.89 complete your multi-hazard profile.
Invest in flood and wildfire preparedness
Roanoke County residents should obtain flood insurance and create defensible space around homes given wildfire risk of 32.32. Earthquake insurance should also be considered given your composite risk of 52.19 and the region's seismic activity.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Roanoke County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Roanoke County
Risk Verdict
At the 52th percentile nationally, Roanoke County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Roanoke County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Roanoke County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (58th percentile), wildfire (32th percentile), tornado (25th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Roanoke County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. Secondary hurricane exposure at the 68th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Roanoke County'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 County falls 18.9 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 County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Roanoke County, VA?
What types of natural hazards affect Roanoke County?
How does Roanoke County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Is Roanoke County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Roanoke County higher risk than average?
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.