Roanoke City
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Roanoke City faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.9, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 3.38 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.64 / yr | $19M |
| Lightning | Medium | 44.11 / yr | $591K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $872K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $727K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.53 / yr | $120K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.89 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 4.13 / yr | $182K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.55 / yr | $35K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.01 / yr | $475K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $106K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $22 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.06 / 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 Roanoke City?
Roanoke City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Roanoke City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $19M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $591K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Roanoke City compare to other Virginia counties?
Roanoke City ranks #13 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. Roanoke City's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.