riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Washington County Disaster Risk

Washington County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#42

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

64th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Washington County

Risk Verdict

Washington County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 47th 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

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Washington County, scoring in the 73th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 64th percentile. Additional hazards include hurricane (55th), wildfire (33th), tornado (30th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Washington County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. 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

Washington County is significantly riskier than the average county in Virginia. Its composite risk score is 13.3 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 Washington County, VA?
Washington County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th 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 Washington County?
Washington County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (73th percentile), flooding (64th percentile), hurricane (55th percentile), wildfire (33th percentile), tornado (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake 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 Washington County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Washington County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Washington County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Washington County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Washington County's earthquake risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Washington County is at the 64th 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 Washington County higher risk than average?
Washington County's composite risk score of 47th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (73th percentile), along with flooding and hurricane 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

Culpeper County

Virginia

-0.3

Relatively Low

46th percentile

Halifax County

Virginia

+0.4

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Pulaski County

Virginia

-0.6

Relatively Low

46th 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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