Botetourt County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Botetourt County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.1, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.38 / yr | $50K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $175K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.61 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | Low | 42.78 / yr | $217K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.73 / yr | $553K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.16 / yr | $54K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $152K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.00 / yr | $550K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.59 / yr | $28K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $15K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $122K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.30 / yr | $45K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $25K |
| 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 Botetourt County?
Botetourt County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Botetourt County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $50K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $3K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $175K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Botetourt County compare to other Virginia counties?
Botetourt County ranks #83 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Botetourt County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.