Westmoreland County Disaster Risk
Westmoreland County, Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
37th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#55
of 133 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
65th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 17% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 27% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Westmoreland County, Virginia
Westmoreland below typical U.S. risk
Westmoreland County's composite risk score of 37.37 earns a Very Low national rating but exceeds median U.S. exposure levels slightly. The county faces moderate combined disaster hazards concentrated in specific threat categories.
Moderately elevated within Virginia
Westmoreland's score of 37.37 exceeds Virginia's state average of 33.27, placing it in the state's upper-middle risk range. The county faces notably more combined natural disaster exposure than most Virginia localities.
Riskier than Sussex, safer than Virginia Beach
Westmoreland (37.37) surpasses Sussex County (13.23) and Surry County (4.71) but trails Virginia Beach (57.86) substantially. Among its peer counties, Westmoreland represents moderate rather than extreme risk.
Hurricanes and flooding drive exposure
Westmoreland residents face significant hurricane risk (86.57) and substantial flood risk (64.80), the county's two dominant hazards. Earthquake exposure (47.46) and tornado risk (26.91) rank secondary, while wildfire (16.63) remains minimal.
Windstorm and flood coverage essential
Westmoreland homeowners should prioritize homeowners insurance with windstorm riders and obtain separate flood coverage, given the county's 86.57 hurricane and 64.80 flood risk scores. Waterfront property owners face particularly elevated exposure and should review coverage annually.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Westmoreland County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Westmoreland County
Risk Verdict
At the 37th percentile nationally, Westmoreland County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Even at the 37th percentile, Westmoreland County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Westmoreland County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (47th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Westmoreland County ranks at the 87th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Westmoreland County's flood exposure at the 65th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. For extended post-storm outages common in Westmoreland County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.
Regional Context
The county's composite score diverges by only 4.1 points from the Virginia average, making Westmoreland County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Westmoreland County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Westmoreland County, VA?
What types of natural hazards affect Westmoreland County?
How does Westmoreland County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Is Westmoreland County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Westmoreland County higher risk than average?
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.