riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Wythe County Disaster Risk

Wythe County, Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

49th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#38

of 133 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

50th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Wythe County

Risk Verdict

Wythe County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 49th 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 Wythe County, scoring in the 61th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 59th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (50th), wildfire (21th), tornado (15th).

Preparedness Context

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

Wythe County is significantly riskier than the average county in Virginia. Its composite risk score is 15.5 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 Wythe County, VA?
Wythe County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 49th 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 Wythe County?
Wythe County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (61th percentile), hurricane (59th percentile), flooding (50th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile), tornado (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 61th 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 Wythe County risk compare to the Virginia average?
Wythe County's composite risk percentile is 49th, compared to the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Wythe County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Virginia.
Is Wythe County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Wythe County's earthquake risk is at the 61th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Wythe County is at the 50th 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 Wythe County higher risk than average?
Wythe County's composite risk score of 49th percentile is above the Virginia state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (61th percentile), along with hurricane and flooding 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

Lynchburg city

Virginia

+0.6

Relatively Low

49th percentile

Fauquier County

Virginia

-1.0

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Montgomery County

Virginia

-1.2

Relatively Low

48th 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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