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Natural hazard risk in Montgomery County, Virginia

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively Low (score 47.5 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$16.6 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1972
22[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$3.2 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
5[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) gives Montgomery County an overall Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, with a score of 47.5 out of 100[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores within the county are landslide, earthquake and cold wave[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA's National Risk Index estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Montgomery County at $16.6 million a year[1]. This is FEMA's estimate of average yearly loss, not money anyone paid[7]. By FEMA's sorted values, the largest parts of that loss are inland flooding ($11.2 million a year), cold wave ($2.3 million a year) and earthquake ($1.1 million a year)[8]. FEMA rates social vulnerability Relatively Low, with a score of 26.6[9]. FEMA rates community resilience Relatively Moderate, with a score of 56.6[10]. All ratings compare the county with other US counties, and the index is not meant to predict next year's damage[7].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
LandslideRelatively Moderate$70,000[11]
EarthquakeRelatively Low$1.1 million[12]
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$2.3 million[13]
Winter WeatherRelatively Moderate$137,000[14]
Inland FloodingRelatively Low$11.2 million[15]
LightningRelatively Moderate$348,000[16]
AvalancheVery Low$1,322[17]
HurricaneVery Low$165,000[18]
DroughtRelatively Low$247,000[19]
HailRelatively Low$220,000[20]
Strong WindRelatively Low$457,000[21]
WildfireVery Low$24,000[22]
Ice StormVery Low$28,000[23]
TornadoVery Low$363,000[24]
Heat WaveVery Low$13[25]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity[26].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Low26.6[9]
Community resilienceRelatively Moderate56.6[10]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties, with a score of 63.6 out of 100[15]. OpenFEMA lists 148 residential flood insurance contracts in force, out of 28,449 residential structures, as of 2026-08-03[27]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 15% of homes are insured[27]. OpenFEMA's NFIP claims data show 181 claims for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $3.2 million in total[3]. To learn the flood zone of an address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[28].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[15] Relatively Low, $11.2 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[27] 148 of 28,449 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[27] 619, of which 93 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 181 filed, $3.2 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[28]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 22 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Montgomery County since 1972[2]. The most recent is a severe winter storm emergency declared 2026-01-23[29]. NOAA's tornado database records 5 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024[4]. The strongest were rated EF1, and the most recent was on 2021-08-31[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Montgomery County, since 1972
Incident type Declarations
Severe Storm[2] 6
Hurricane[2] 5
Snowstorm[2] 4
Flood[2] 3
Tropical Storm[2] 2
Winter Storm[2] 1
Drought[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
EM-3631-VA[29] Severe Winter Storm 2026-01-23
DR-4863-VA[29] Severe Winter Storms And Flooding 2025-04-04
DR-4831-VA[29] Tropical Storm Helene 2024-10-01
EM-3621-VA[29] Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene 2024-09-29
DR-4411-VA[29] Tropical Storm Michael 2018-12-18

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Winter storms and cold

Before

  • Insulate your home and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
  • Keep several days of supplies in case the power goes out, including medication and pet needs.
  • Put an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, sand, blankets, water and snacks, and keep the tank full.

During

  • Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away.
  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you are stuck in your car, stay inside it.
  • Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows, and never heat your home with an oven or stove.

Source: Ready.gov, winter storms and cold

Earthquakes

Before

  • Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with your family and coworkers.
  • Sign up for earthquake alerts that can warn you before shaking starts.
  • Make a plan with an out-of-state contact and a place to meet if you get separated.
  • Anchor heavy items such as bookcases, refrigerators and water heaters, and keep heavy things on low shelves.
  • Consider earthquake insurance. Standard homeowners policies do not cover earthquake damage.

During

  • Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops.
  • Indoors, stay where you are and avoid doorways. Outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings and power lines.
  • If you are driving, pull over, stop and set the parking brake.

Source: Ready.gov, earthquakes

Questions people ask

Is Montgomery County, VA at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[15]. FEMA's sorted values show inland flooding as the largest part of expected annual loss, at $11.2 million a year[8].
Does Montgomery County, VA get tornadoes?
NOAA's tornado database records 5 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024, the strongest rated EF1[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk Very Low compared with other US counties[24].
Is Montgomery County, VA at risk of earthquakes?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties, with a score of 73.4 out of 100[12]. Its Expected Annual Loss is $1.1 million a year[12].
How many disasters have been declared in Montgomery County, VA?
OpenFEMA lists 22 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include the county since 1972[2].
How do I check my flood zone in Montgomery County, VA?
Look up the address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or ask the local floodplain manager[28]. County ratings do not show the flood zone of one address[28].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Montgomery County is $16.6 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Low, score 54.2). Of this, buildings account for $12.2 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $4.1... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 22 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Montgomery County since 1972 (15 major disaster, 7 emergency or fire management). By incident type: severe storm 6, hurricane 5, snowstorm 4, flood 3, tropical storm 2, winter storm 1, drought 1.... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 181 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Montgomery County, 145 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $3.2 million in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid).... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 5 recorded tornadoes touched Montgomery County. The strongest were rated EF1 (most recent of them on 2021-08-31). 0 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2021-08-31. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Montgomery County is Relatively Low, with a Risk Index score of 47.5 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Montgomery County are landslide (90.9, Relatively Moderate), earthquake (73.4, Relatively Low), cold wave (69.2, Relatively Moderate). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  8. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Montgomery County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are inland flooding ($11.2 million a year), cold wave ($2.3 million a year), earthquake ($1.1 million a year), out of $16.6 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Montgomery County is Relatively Low (score 26.6). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Montgomery County is Relatively Moderate (score 56.6). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 90.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $70,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 73.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.1 million a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0014 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 69.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.3 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 3.89 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record... FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 68.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $137,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 10.72 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 63.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $11.2 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 2.21 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 58.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $348,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 44.25 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24... FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), avalanche in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 57.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1,322 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.01 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 28 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 57.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $165,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.02 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172 years for the... FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 56.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $247,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 2.36 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 42.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $220,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 3.98 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 39.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $457,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 2.8 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 36.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $24,000 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.001 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 26.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $28,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.43 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 23.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $363,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.05 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Montgomery County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 2.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $13 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  26. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Montgomery County: coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered geographically... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  27. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 148 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Montgomery County, out of 28,449 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.5%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 619 residential structures and 93 contracts, a... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  28. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  29. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.