Northampton County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Northampton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.5, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind 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
| Drought | High | 1.11 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | High | 0.60 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.25 / yr | $5M |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.72 / yr | $245K |
| Hail | Low | 1.17 / yr | $98K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.43 / yr | $104K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $63K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.68 / yr | $247K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.18 / yr | $18K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $201K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 35.72 / yr | $31K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $9 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.01 / yr | $3K |
| Avalanche | 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 Northampton County?
Northampton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Northampton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Northampton County compare to other Virginia counties?
Northampton County ranks #48 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. Northampton County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.