Wise County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Wise County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.4, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.28 / yr | $38K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $525K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.21 / yr | $2M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.89 / yr | $9M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.02 / yr | $89K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $329K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.93 / yr | $505K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $52K |
| Drought | Very Low | 8.00 / yr | $22K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $216K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 51.10 / yr | $54K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $55K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $5K |
| 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 Wise County?
Wise County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wise County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $38K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $525K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wise County compare to other Virginia counties?
Wise County ranks #36 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. Wise County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.