riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Stafford County Disaster Risk

Stafford County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

65th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

75th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Stafford County

Risk Verdict

Stafford County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 65th 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 Stafford County, scoring in the 78th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 75th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (71th), tornado (52th), wildfire (18th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Stafford County 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 flood 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

Stafford County is significantly riskier than the average county in Virginia. Its composite risk score is 31.8 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 Stafford County, VA?
Stafford County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 65th 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 Stafford County?
Stafford County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (78th percentile), flooding (75th percentile), earthquake (71th percentile), tornado (52th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 78th 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 Stafford County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Stafford County's composite risk percentile is 65th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Stafford County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Stafford County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Stafford County's hurricane risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Stafford County is at the 75th 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 Stafford County higher risk than average?
Stafford County's composite risk score of 65th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (78th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake 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

Pittsylvania County

Virginia

-1.3

Relatively Low

64th percentile

Henry County

Virginia

-1.4

Relatively Low

64th percentile

Arlington County

Virginia

+1.7

Relatively Low

67th 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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