Nelson County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Nelson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.1, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and drought 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 | 1.30 / yr | $8K |
| Drought | Medium | 5.48 / yr | $490K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $390K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.25 / yr | $7M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $31K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $171K |
| Lightning | Low | 41.98 / yr | $111K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.92 / yr | $246K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.08 / yr | $93K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.94 / yr | $19K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $18K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $69K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $183K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.89 / yr | $113K |
| 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 Nelson County?
Nelson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nelson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $8K EAL), Drought (Medium, $490K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $390K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nelson County compare to other Virginia counties?
Nelson County ranks #57 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. Nelson County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.