Frederick County

Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

44.7

National percentile: 45th

Frederick County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.7, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $20M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 91K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Landslide
Low $22K/yr
Hurricane
Low $2M/yr
Drought
Medium $874K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Landslide Low 0.57 / yr $22K
Hurricane Low 0.06 / yr $2M
Drought Medium 4.14 / yr $874K
Heat Wave Low 3.26 / yr $1M
Winter Weather Medium 13.14 / yr $147K
Riverine Flood Low 2.54 / yr $13M
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $633K
Hail Low 2.89 / yr $523K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $105K
Strong Wind Medium 5.04 / yr $879K
Lightning Low 37.63 / yr $297K
Tornado Low 0.18 / yr $882K
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr $75
Ice Storm Very Low 0.37 / yr $23K
Cold Wave Very Low 1.94 / yr $169K
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 Frederick County?

Frederick County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Frederick County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $22K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $874K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Frederick County compare to other Virginia counties?

Frederick County ranks #46 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. Frederick County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.