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

Sussex County Disaster Risk

Sussex County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

13th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#97

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

17th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Sussex County, Virginia

Sussex well below national danger

Sussex County's composite risk score of 13.23 reflects a Very Low rating nationally, placing it among safer U.S. counties for natural disasters. The county experiences notably lower combined hazard exposure than average American communities.

Ranks low within Virginia

Sussex County's score of 13.23 sits well below Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it one of the safer Virginia communities overall. Among peer counties, Sussex maintains substantially lower natural disaster risk.

Safer than Tazewell, comparable to Surry

Sussex (13.23) outperforms nearby Tazewell County (60.18) significantly and remains safer than most Virginia peers. Only Surry County (4.71) and Waynesboro (10.34) show comparably low risk in the region.

Hurricane and earthquake drive risk

Sussex's highest exposures are hurricane risk (73.26) and earthquake risk (43.54), though these remain moderate in absolute terms. Tornado risk (20.83) and wildfire risk (19.91) rank lower but warrant standard precautions.

Standard insurance meets Sussex needs

Homeowners insurance with windstorm riders provides adequate protection for Sussex County's modest natural disaster exposure. Residents should verify their policies cover hurricane-force winds given the county's elevated hurricane ranking.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sussex County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    44th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    21th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Sussex County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Sussex County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 13th percentile. Residents of Sussex County can use the 13th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Sussex County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (21th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile), flood (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 73th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Sussex County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 44th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Sussex County independent of hurricane season. For Sussex County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Sussex County is 20.0 composite risk points below the Virginia state mean, meaning most other Virginia counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Sussex 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 Sussex County, VA?
Sussex County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 13th 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 Sussex County?
Sussex County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (73th percentile), earthquake (44th percentile), tornado (21th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile), flooding (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 73th 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 Sussex County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Sussex County's composite risk percentile is 13th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Sussex County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Sussex County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Sussex County's hurricane risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Sussex County is at the 17th 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 Sussex County a safe place to live?
Sussex County's composite risk score of 13th 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 73th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Bland County

Virginia

-0.2

Very Low

13th percentile

Fluvanna County

Virginia

+0.3

Very Low

13th percentile

King George County

Virginia

-0.5

Very Low

13th 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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