Tazewell County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Tazewell County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.2, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.63 / yr | $60K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.42 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.61 / yr | $12M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $507K |
| Drought | Low | 2.84 / yr | $197K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.95 / yr | $59K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.34 / yr | $471K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $61K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.40 / yr | $135K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.28 / yr | $95K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $15K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $108K |
| 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 Tazewell County?
Tazewell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Tazewell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $60K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $12M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Tazewell County compare to other Virginia counties?
Tazewell County ranks #22 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. Tazewell County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.