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King and Queen County, Virginia

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Very Low overall risk
92nd of 133highest risk in Virginia
$4Mexpected losses a year
23federal declarations
1 in 100homes with flood insurance
Photo: Aleatoric Consonance, CC BY 2.0

King and Queen County, Virginia has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 84% of US counties. It ranks 92nd of 133 counties in Virginia. The costliest hazards here are drought, inland flooding and hurricanes. FEMA estimates about $4.4 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $670 per resident. Since 1969 it has been included in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (17 major disasters). The most recent was in January 2026 (severe winter storm). Only 42 homes here carry federal flood insurance. Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $645,000 on 22 claims here.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in King and Queen County

$2.1 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 4 times a year.
  • Check local water restrictions.
  • Choose drought-tolerant plants.
$1.4 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 2 years.
  • Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
  • Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
$365,126 a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 6 years.
  • Know your evacuation zone and route before June 1.
  • Ask about roof age, shutters and the separate wind or hurricane deductible on your home policy.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
DroughtHigh95.7
$2M
Inland floodingVery Low16.5
$1M
HurricaneLow68.4
$365K
TornadoVery Low19.1
$156K
Coastal floodingLow51.6
$107K
Strong windVery Low16.7
$102K
EarthquakeVery Low34.4
$75K
Heat waveVery Low22.5
$54K
HailVery Low16.2
$39K
LightningVery Low10.4
$24K
Ice stormLow30.3
$23K
Cold waveVery Low4.5
$8K
WildfireVery Low17.6
$4K
Winter weatherVery Low7.4
$4K
LandslideVery Low39.6
$456

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is very high and community resilience is relatively moderate in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included King and Queen County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Hurricane12
Severe Storm4
Snowstorm3
Flood1
Freezing1
Severe Ice Storm1

Most recent

Jan 23, 2026Severe Winter StormEmergency
May 10, 2021Severe Winter StormsMajor disaster
Dec 18, 2018Tropical Storm MichaelMajor disaster
Oct 15, 2018Hurricane FlorenceMajor disaster
Sep 11, 2018Hurricane FlorenceEmergency
Nov 26, 2012Hurricane SandyMajor disaster
Oct 29, 2012Hurricane SandyEmergency
Nov 17, 2011The Remnants of Tropical Storm LeeMajor disaster
Sep 3, 2011Hurricane IreneMajor disaster
Aug 26, 2011Hurricane IreneEmergency
Show all 23
Dec 9, 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression Ida and A Nor'EastMajor disaster
Sep 22, 2006Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Sep 12, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergency
Sep 18, 2003Hurricane IsabelMajor disaster
Feb 28, 2000Severe Winter StormsMajor disaster
Sep 18, 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster DeclarationsMajor disaster
Sep 6, 1996Hurricane Fran and Associated Severe Storm CondMajor disaster
Jan 13, 1996Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm)Major disaster
Mar 10, 1994Severe Ice Storms, FloodingMajor disaster
Mar 25, 1993Severe Winter StormEmergency
Jan 26, 1977Ice ConditionsMajor disaster
Jun 23, 1972Tropical Storm AgnesMajor disaster
Aug 23, 1969Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster

Virginia also had 6 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1951

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 147 storm reports in King and Queen County since 1951 and about $1.6 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an EF1 tornado on February 24, 2016 near Bruington.

8tornadoes
16hail reports, largest 3 inches
83damaging thunderstorm winds
14floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
Feb 24, 2016EF1Bruington0 / 0
Oct 5, 1995F1West Point0 / 0
May 11, 1951F1–0 / 0
May 2, 2004F1King & Queen Church0 / 0
Sep 28, 2006F1Little Plymouth0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
Sep 16, 1999Flash FloodCountywide$617K
Feb 24, 2016TornadoBruington$505K
Oct 5, 1995TornadoWest Point$170K
May 11, 1951Tornado–$25K
May 2, 2004TornadoKing & Queen Church$25K
Sep 28, 2006TornadoLittle Plymouth$25K

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jun 14, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Hurricanes and tropical storms

Hurricane risk by county ›

Since 1859, 4 hurricanes and 26 tropical storms have passed within 65 miles of the center of King and Queen County, 13 of them since 1950. The strongest was an unnamed hurricane in 1878, with top winds near 100 mph about 64 miles away.

4hurricanes
0major hurricanes (Category 3+)
26tropical storms
2021most recent: Elsa

Strongest storms nearby

DateStormStrengthClosest
Oct 23, 1878UnnamedCategory 2, 100 mph64 mi
Aug 13, 1955ConnieCategory 1, 80 mph65 mi
Aug 23, 1933UnnamedCategory 1, 80 mph59 mi
Sep 17, 1876UnnamedCategory 1, 75 mph48 mi
Aug 4, 2020IsaiasTropical storm, 70 mph33 mi
Jul 13, 1996BerthaTropical storm, 70 mph52 mi

Most recent storms

DateStormStrengthClosest
Jul 9, 2021ElsaTropical storm, 55 mph43 mi
Aug 4, 2020IsaiasTropical storm, 70 mph33 mi
Sep 6, 2008HannaTropical storm, 50 mph45 mi
Aug 30, 2004GastonTropical storm, 40 mph40 mi
Jul 13, 1996BerthaTropical storm, 70 mph52 mi
Sep 30, 1983DeanTropical storm, 45 mph62 mi

Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center best-track records (HURDAT2), 1851 to 2025 for the Atlantic and 1949 to 2025 for the eastern Pacific. A storm counts if its track passed within 65 miles of the county's center while it was a tropical storm or hurricane. Strength is the storm's top sustained wind at that point, not the wind measured in the county. Older storms over the open sea were sometimes missed.

Flood insurance in King and Queen County

Check your address flood zone ›
1%of homes have federal flood insurance (42 policies)
22.1%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$644,685paid on 22 flood claims since 1978
2003costliest year, with $518,473 paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in King and Queen County

$231,600median home value (Virginia $383,700, US $332,700)
1991median year homes were built (Virginia 1984, US 1980)
34%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
20.9%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 3,511 housing units.

Compare in Virginia

All 133 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Fairfax CountyHighInland flooding
Prince William CountyModerateInland flooding
Virginia Beach CityLowHurricane
Loudoun CountyLowInland flooding
Chesterfield CountyModerateInland flooding
Henrico CountyModerateInland flooding
Chesapeake CityLowInland flooding
Arlington CountyLowInland flooding

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
James City CountyLow16
Gloucester CountyVery Low16
Caroline CountyVery Low22
New Kent CountyVery Low20
King William CountyVery Low22
Middlesex CountyVery Low22
Essex CountyVery Low25

Common questions about King and Queen County

What is the biggest natural hazard in King and Queen County?

Drought has the highest expected yearly losses in King and Queen County, about $2.1 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Inland flooding is second at $1.4 million.

How many federal disasters has King and Queen County had?

King and Queen County has been included in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1969, including 17 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm in January 2026.

Is King and Queen County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Very Low, 92nd highest of 133 in Virginia. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in King and Queen County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 100 homes in King and Queen County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has King and Queen County had?

NOAA records list 8 tornadoes in King and Queen County since 1950. The strongest was an EF1 tornado on February 24, 2016 near Bruington. The weather service has also logged 16 hail reports and 14 floods here.

How many hurricanes have hit King and Queen County?

NOAA's hurricane records show 4 hurricanes and 26 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the center of King and Queen County. The strongest was an unnamed hurricane in 1878, with winds near 100 mph.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.