Alexandria, VA
FEMA National Risk Index scores, disaster declarations & hazard data
Alexandria has experienced 22 federally declared disasters since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in 2026. Its overall natural hazard risk is rated Relatively Low — lower risk than most US counties.
Alexandria's highest-rated hazards are strong wind, heat wave, and inland flooding, with its top risk rated "Relatively High" by FEMA's National Risk Index. NOAA records 90 storm events in the county over the past decade.
Past disasters & FEMA designations
A federal disaster declaration officially designates a county for FEMA disaster assistance. Alexandria has been designated in 22 declarations since 1972, covering 7 disaster types including snowstorm (5), hurricane (5), severe storm (4).
| Year | Type | Event name |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2016 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm |
| 2013 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2012 | Severe Storm | The Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee |
| 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms |
| 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 total declarations since 1972.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries. A single disaster can produce more than one record per county. Data current through September 2026.
Risk by hazard type
| Hazard | Risk rating | Risk score | Recorded events | Deaths | Prop. damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Very Low | 5.7 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Inland Flooding | Relatively Moderate | 81.8 | 48 | 0 | — |
| Coastal Flooding | Relatively Low | 56 | 16 | 0 | — |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | 80 | — | — | — |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | 88.4 | 25 | 0 | — |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | 39.9 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | 79.1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Hail | Relatively Low | 57 | 1 | 0 | — |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | 90.1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | 79.8 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | 46.7 | — | — | — |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | 25.1 | — | — | — |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | 81.6 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Drought | No Rating | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Landslide | Very Low | 31.1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Avalanche | Not Applicable | — | — | — | — |
| Tsunami | Insufficient Data | — | — | — | — |
| Volcanic Activity | Not Applicable | — | — | — | — |
Scores are 0–100 percentiles relative to all US counties — higher means more exposed, not that a disaster is likely this year. Event counts: NOAA Storm Events 2016–2026; earthquake counts from USGS ComCat (M3.0+, 1996–2026). See the methodology page for details.
Community vulnerability
Alexandria ranks in the 32nd percentile (Low) for community vulnerability — a measure of how hard disaster impacts tend to hit residents. Higher vulnerability means more displacement, worse health outcomes, and slower recovery after a disaster.
| SVI theme | Percentile | Vulnerability level |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 32nd | Low |
| Socioeconomic status | 23rd | Very low |
| Household characteristics | 2nd | Very low |
| Racial & ethnic minority status | 87th | High |
| Housing type & transportation | 74th | Moderate |
Source: CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index 2022. Percentiles compare counties nationally — higher means more vulnerable relative to other counties. See CDC SVI for full methodology.
Future risk outlook
| Wildfire metric | National percentile | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Burn probability | 13th | Very Low |
| Risk to homes | 13th | Very Low |
| Buildings in direct exposure zone | 7.9% | — |
NOAA tracked 90 weather events in this county over 2016–2025: 45 in 2016–20 vs 45 in 2021–25 (0% — relatively stable).
Wildfire: USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (RDS-2020-0016-2) — modeled values, not annual forecasts. See wildfirerisk.org. Inland flood and heat projections pending data availability; coastal sea-level projections are available for select coastal counties below — see the data page.
Nearby counties
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards pose the greatest risk in Alexandria?
According to the FEMA National Risk Index, the highest-risk hazards in Alexandria, Virginia are strong wind, heat wave, and inland flooding. The county's overall natural hazard risk is rated Relatively Low — lower risk than most US counties.
Has Alexandria received federal disaster declarations?
Yes. Alexandria has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including declarations in 2026. The most common disaster type on record is snowstorm (5 declarations).
Has Alexandria had any FEMA disaster declarations in 2024, 2025, or 2026?
Yes. Recent federal disaster declarations for Alexandria include Severe Winter Storm (2026). See the declarations table above for the full history since 1972.
How does Alexandria's natural hazard risk compare to nearby counties?
Among neighboring counties, District of Columbia, DC has the highest overall natural hazard risk (Relatively High) and Falls Church, VA has the lowest (Very Low). Alexandria is rated Relatively Low overall.
How is Alexandria's composite disaster risk index calculated?
Alexandria's composite disaster risk index — officially FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) — scores every US county on a 0–100 percentile scale across 18 natural hazard types, factoring in expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience. Alexandria's composite score of 74 means its overall natural hazard risk is higher than 74% of US counties.