City of Chesapeake hazard data

Chesapeake, VA Disaster Risk

FEMA rates relative hurricane risk for the City of Chesapeake as relatively moderate and reports FEMA annualized frequency of 0.245 per year for the area.

#1 of 16 covered Virginia cities for hurricane risk β†’FEMA relative score 94.8/100 Β· county scale

FEMA summary

Chesapeake's hurricane risk is relatively moderate at county scale.

FEMA's profile for the City of Chesapeake reports FEMA annualized frequency of 0.245 per year for hurricane. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is relatively moderate; the annualized frequency is a separate measure.

Hazard metrics cover FEMA county-equivalent geographies rather than individual addresses or parcels. Use local or state hazard maps before making a property, insurance, retrofit, or evacuation decision.

FEMA annualized frequency

0.245 per year

View hazard details ↓
FEMA area population
249,270
Data geography
County equivalent
FEMA relative score
94.8/100
FEMA source
v1.19.0

Explore hazards

Select a hazard to inspect FEMA's figures for City of Chesapeake.

FEMA NRI profile

Hurricane

Relatively Moderate

FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.

Relative FEMA score

94.8/100

FEMA annualized frequency
0.245 per year
FEMA area loss estimate
$39M
Recorded events
35

How to read this

Occurrence thresholds vary by hazard. The FEMA methodology defines the value for each hazard.

The area loss estimate combines FEMA's modeled losses to buildings, population, and agriculture across City of Chesapeake. It is not an estimate for a home or address.

City risk summary

Hurricane risk in Chesapeake

For Chesapeake, FEMA rates hurricane risk for the City of Chesapeake as relatively moderate, with a relative score of 94.8/100. The next highest relative scores are ice storm at 91.1/100 and heat wave at 89.9/100.

Using FEMA data for the City of Chesapeake, Chesapeake is #1 among 16 covered Virginia entries for hurricane risk. Portsmouth is about 12 straight-line miles from the Chesapeake map point; its FEMA figures cover the City of Portsmouth.

What to check for hurricane

  • βœ“Check the wind zone, flood zone, and evacuation zone for the address.
  • βœ“Review roof connections, opening protection, drainage, and backup power.
  • βœ“Compare hurricane, wind, flood, and temporary-living coverage separately.

Household preparation

Official guidance β†—

For homeowners and movers

  • βœ“Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions.
  • βœ“Review policy exclusions, deductibles, and temporary-living coverage with a licensed professional.
  • βœ“Keep inspections, inventories, and critical documents in a secure location you can access after an emergency.

Preparedness actions

  • βœ“Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions.
  • βœ“Maintain water, food, lighting, medications, and communications for several days.
  • βœ“Create a household communication plan and practice it before an emergency.
Build your household checklist
Brownstone apartment buildings
Urban Survival

The Apartment Fortress

Living in Chesapeake? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.

Read the Guide β†’

Where this profile applies

The map shows Chesapeake. All FEMA figures on this page cover the City of Chesapeake.

Loading map…
City
Chesapeake, VA
FEMA data area
City of Chesapeake
County FIPS
51550

Questions about disaster risk in Chesapeake

The FEMA figures cover the City of Chesapeake. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.

How much hurricane risk does Chesapeake, VA have?

FEMA rates relative hurricane risk for the City of Chesapeake as relatively moderate. Its FEMA annualized frequency is 0.245 per year. Damage at a specific address also depends on the building, soil, elevation, and exact hazard zone.

Where does Chesapeake rank for hurricane risk in Virginia?

Among 16 Virginia cities covered by this directory, Chesapeake is #1 for relative hurricane risk based on FEMA's score for the City of Chesapeake. Homes within Chesapeake can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.

Which natural hazards rank highest around Chesapeake?

In FEMA's data for the City of Chesapeake, the highest relative ratings are Hurricane (Relatively Moderate), Ice Storm (Relatively High), and Heat Wave (Relatively Moderate). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.

Are the disaster-risk numbers for Chesapeake or the City of Chesapeake?

The hazard numbers cover the City of Chesapeake. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.

Is Chesapeake safe from natural disasters?

FEMA gives the City of Chesapeake an overall relative risk rating of relatively moderate. Conditions at a specific home depend on its hazard zones, building type, maintenance, insurance, and access to evacuation routes and emergency services.

What should a household in Chesapeake do first for hurricane preparedness?

Start with this step: Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions. Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions. Use Ready.gov Be Informed and local emergency guidance for a complete plan.

Nearby city comparisons

Distances are measured between city coordinates.

CityDistanceHurricane ratingRelative score
Portsmouth, VA12 miRelatively Moderate89.5
Virginia Beach, VA15 miRelatively Moderate92.0
Norfolk, VA15 miRelatively Moderate94.7
Suffolk, VA19 miRelatively Moderate89.8
Hampton, VA26 miRelatively Moderate91.9

Relevant preparedness gear

Limited to products tagged for hurricane or general preparedness.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site may earn from qualifying purchases.

Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System

Water

Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System

Filters up to 100,000 gallons. Essential when tap water is compromised.

View product
Scepter 5 Gallon Water Container

Water

Scepter 5 Gallon Water Container

Bombproof water storage. 5 gallons is the minimum for one person for 5 days.

View product
Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

Power

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

600 lumens and rechargeable. Hands-free lighting is critical during power outages.

View product

Data sources

Hazard metrics come from FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 (March 2023). City population and coordinates come from SimpleMaps US Cities Database. For current conditions, use official local maps, warnings, inspections, and professional advice.