Natural Disaster Risk in Isle of Wight County

Natural Hazard Profile: Isle of Wight County, Virginia

Isle of Wight County is located in the United States in Virginia, home to roughly 38,586 residents. The county experiences hot, humid summers and four distinct seasons, with hurricane and nor'easter exposure shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Isle of Wight County's composite natural disaster risk at 5.5 out of 10 — moderate risk. The risk of coastal inundation tops the local hazard profile, with the area exposed to storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action during major coastal storm events. Residents should also account for drought and hurricane risk in their preparedness planning.

Isle of Wight County's risk score, slightly above the 5.1/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Isle of Wight County, the highest-scoring are coastal flood, drought, and hurricane. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Isle of Wight County'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 coastal flood exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.