Portsmouth, VA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Portsmouth is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Portsmouth, VA. The county's highest-rated hazards are hurricane, winter weather, and heat wave.
Storm events near Portsmouth
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Portsmouth's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Portsmouth itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Portsmouth's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Portsmouth along with the rest of the county, not a Portsmouth-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 19.8 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 53.3 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | 64.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | 64.9 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 74.3 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 51 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 48.4 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 37.8 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 86.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 58.4 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 7.4 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 68 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 38.8 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 76 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Portsmouth risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Portsmouth:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Portsmouth, VA at risk of?
Portsmouth is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Portsmouth, where Portsmouth is located, are hurricane, winter weather, and heat wave.
What is Portsmouth's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hurricane is the highest-rated hazard for Portsmouth, where Portsmouth is located, scoring 86.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Portsmouth a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Portsmouth carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Portsmouth.
Has Portsmouth had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 17 tornado, 74 hail, 259 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Portsmouth since 2016.