Salem, VA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Salem is rated Very Low for overall natural hazard risk — among the lowest-risk counties in the country — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Salem, VA. The county's highest-rated hazards are hurricane, earthquake, and inland flooding.
Storm events near Salem
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Salem's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Salem 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 Salem's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Salem along with the rest of the county, not a Salem-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 1.4 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 44.8 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 49 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 11.1 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 12.6 | Very Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 17.7 | Very Low |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 12.7 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 57.7 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 13.3 | Very Low |
| Landslide | 27.4 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 32.3 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 36.5 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 26.2 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Salem risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
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Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Salem, VA at risk of?
Salem is rated Very Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The highest-rated hazards for Salem, where Salem is located, are hurricane, earthquake, and inland flooding.
What is Salem's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hurricane is the highest-rated hazard for Salem, where Salem is located, scoring 57.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very Low").
Is Salem a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Salem carries among the lowest-risk counties in the country for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Very Low" for Salem.
Has Salem had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 5 tornado, 80 hail, 176 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Salem since 2016.