Russell County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Russell County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.5, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave 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 | Medium | 1.61 / yr | $100K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.32 / yr | $3M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $276K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $47K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $59K |
| Drought | Low | 8.24 / yr | $100K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.01 / yr | $346K |
| Lightning | Low | 48.59 / yr | $127K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 14.37 / yr | $19K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $17K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.10 / yr | $44K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $127K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | 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 Russell County?
Russell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Russell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $100K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $2K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Russell County compare to other Virginia counties?
Russell County ranks #56 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. Russell County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.