Natural Disaster Risk in Abingdon

Natural Hazard Profile: Abingdon, Virginia

Abingdon, in Washington County, is a city of approximately 16,814 residents situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid subtropical climate brings hot, humid summers and four distinct seasons, and in particular hurricane and nor'easter exposure. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Abingdon residents and property owners must navigate.

Abingdon's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.8/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Secondary hazards include avalanche and wind.

Within Virginia, Abingdon's risk is, slightly above the 5.1/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Washington County identifies landslide as the foremost hazard, followed by avalanche and wind. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

Abingdon's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that landslide exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.