Warren County Disaster Risk
Warren County, Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
32th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#63
of 133 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
56th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% 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 45% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 60% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Warren County, Virginia
Warren's risk slightly below national
Warren County's composite risk score of 31.58 earns a Very Low national rating, placing it roughly near typical U.S. county exposure levels. The county benefits from moderate overall disaster risk despite some localized hazard concentrations.
Close to Virginia's average risk
Warren County scores 31.58 against Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it nearly representative of statewide disaster exposure. The county sits squarely in Virginia's middle range for natural hazard vulnerability.
Riskier than Surry, safer than Tazewell
Warren (31.58) faces higher exposure than Surry County (4.71) and Sussex County (13.23) but substantially less than Tazewell County (60.18). Among regional peers, Warren represents moderate rather than extreme risk.
Flooding and earthquakes lead concerns
Warren residents face elevated flood risk (55.69) and earthquake exposure (45.17), the county's primary hazards. Hurricane risk (59.91) also merits attention, while wildfire (36.42) and tornado (24.65) risks remain secondary.
Standard coverage plus flood protection
Warren County homeowners should maintain standard homeowners insurance and consider separate flood coverage given the county's 55.69 flood risk score. Earthquake insurance may also merit evaluation depending on property location and personal risk tolerance.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Warren County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Warren County
Risk Verdict
Warren County's overall natural disaster score at the 32th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Being ranked at the 32th percentile nationally is an advantage for Warren County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Warren County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (45th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile), tornado (25th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane exposure at the 60th percentile nationally makes Warren County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Warren County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Warren County's flood exposure at the 56th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Warren County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.
Regional Context
Warren County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Virginia county average, with a 1.7-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Warren County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Warren County, VA?
What types of natural hazards affect Warren County?
How does Warren County risk compare to the Virginia average?
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Is Warren County a safe place to live?
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.