Albemarle County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 78th
Albemarle County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 78.1, 78th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $40M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 3.25 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.39 / yr | $27M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.83 / yr | $27K |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.07 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 4.39 / yr | $875K |
| Lightning | Medium | 41.30 / yr | $683K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.45 / yr | $136K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.78 / yr | $917K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $120K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.89 / yr | $110K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.23 / yr | $1M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $551 |
| Hail | Low | 2.51 / yr | $260K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.66 / yr | $96K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Albemarle County?
Albemarle County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 78th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Albemarle County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $27M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Albemarle County compare to other Virginia counties?
Albemarle County ranks #9 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Albemarle County's $40M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.