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

Rockingham County Disaster Risk

Rockingham County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

75th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#11

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

85th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% 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 67% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Rockingham County, Virginia

Rockingham County faces significant disaster exposure

Rockingham County's composite risk score of 75.03 substantially exceeds the national median, earning a "Relatively Low" rating that masks substantial flood and wildfire vulnerability. The county ranks among the most exposed jurisdictions in Virginia for a rural area.

Virginia's third-highest risk jurisdiction

Rockingham County's composite score of 75.03 ranks it among Virginia's top three most exposed areas, behind only Richmond city (78.40) and Roanoke city (72.87). The county far exceeds the state average of 33.27, making it an outlier in natural disaster exposure.

Dramatically riskier than neighboring counties

Rockingham County's 75.03 score towers over Rockbridge County (33.30) and Russell County (36.55), reflecting unique geographic vulnerability to multiple hazard types. The Shenandoah Valley's flood exposure and wildfire susceptibility set it apart from surrounding counties.

Floods and wildfires define your hazard profile

Flood risk of 84.64 tops all hazards in Rockingham County, followed by wildfire risk of 64.41—both substantially higher than neighboring mountain counties. Hurricane exposure of 82.52 and earthquake risk of 67.02 round out a multi-hazard environment.

Comprehensive insurance coverage is essential

Rockingham County residents must obtain flood and wildfire insurance—your composite risk of 75.03 demands multiple layers of protection beyond standard homeowners policies. Create defensible space around your home and understand your specific flood zone and elevation relative to the Shenandoah River.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Rockingham County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    67th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Rockingham County

Risk Verdict

Rockingham County ranks at the 75th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Rockingham County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (67th percentile), wildfire (64th percentile), tornado (29th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Rockingham County sits at the 85th percentile nationally for flood exposure. Knowing your property's flood zone designation — available at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center — is the first step toward understanding actual exposure and insurance options. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 83th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. Regardless of specific hazard, Rockingham County households benefit from a practiced communication plan: a designated out-of-state contact and a pre-agreed evacuation destination established before the season's peak risk period.

Regional Context

Compared to other Virginia counties, Rockingham County runs 41.8 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Rockingham 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 Rockingham County, VA?
Rockingham County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 75th 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 Rockingham County?
Rockingham County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (85th percentile), hurricane (83th percentile), earthquake (67th percentile), wildfire (64th percentile), tornado (29th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 85th 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 Rockingham County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Rockingham County's composite risk percentile is 75th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Rockingham County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Rockingham County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Rockingham County's flooding risk is at the 85th 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 Rockingham County higher risk than average?
Rockingham County's composite risk score of 75th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (85th percentile), along with hurricane and earthquake and wildfire 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

Alexandria city

Virginia

-1.3

Relatively Low

74th percentile

Roanoke city

Virginia

-2.2

Relatively Low

73th percentile

Newport News city

Virginia

-2.8

Relatively Low

72th 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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