Overview of Natural Hazards

In Virginia, many different types of natural hazards can occur, including coastal storms, flooding, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, drought/extreme heat, wildfire, earthquakes, and even tsunamis. This handbook concentrates on the most likely and potentially devastating hazards in Virginia with regard to loss of life and property damage: coastal storms, floods, and tornadoes. Preparing for these larger hazard events will offer protection from the smaller, more frequent events. There is much more information on these hazards than can be provided in this handbook. Included here is only basic information that may play a role in how you, as a homeowner, can prepare for these hazards.