Climate Risk Summary

Zip Code 23459, Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in Virginia Beach, VA (23459) are Hurricane, Heat Wave, and Tornado.

Understanding the Dollars

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) is a statistical average of property damage for this entire zip code over a standard year across all properties.

  • / It represents the "average cost" rather than a guaranteed yearly bill.
  • / It can be used to compare the relative risk from different hazards and across different neighborhoods.

Primary Risks

Hurricane

$32,638

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 23459

57.6Score

Relatively Low compared to US average

23459
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Heat Wave

$29,139

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 23459

27.4Score

Relatively Low compared to US average

23459
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Tornado

$15,317

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 23459

22.6Score

Very Low compared to US average

23459
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Zip Code Risk Map

Legend
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme

Financial Risk Inventory

MAJOR DRIVER
Hurricane
$32,638
Score: 57.6
MAJOR DRIVER
Heat Wave
$29,139
Score: 27.4
MAJOR DRIVER
Tornado
$15,317
Score: 22.6
Inland Flooding
$10,913
Score: 0.4
Cold Wave
$9,566
Score: 21.6
Lightning
$8,445
Score: 30.3
Earthquake
$2,614
Score: 8.8
Coastal Flooding
$1,789
Score: 78.7
Hail
$1,480
Score: 21.3
Strong Wind
$817
Score: 6.9
Winter Weather
$326
Score: 18.8
Ice Storm
$300
Score: 2.4
Wildfire
$110
Score: 36.2
Drought
$16
Score: 69.2
Landslide
$2
Score: 41.0

Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Recommended investments to protect your property value and reduce insurance liability based on your local risk profile.

🌀High Investment

Hurricane Mitigation

Install permanent hurricane shutters or upgrade to impact-resistant windows.

Risk Score: 57.6
☀️Low Investment

Heat Wave Mitigation

Ensure attic insulation is R-49+ and consider a dual-fuel backup generator for AC.

Risk Score: 27.4
🌪️High Investment

Tornado Mitigation

Reinforce garage doors and consider a FEMA-approved safe room or storm cellar.

Risk Score: 22.6

Methodology and Sources

Spatial Aggregation

Our "Atlas" risk scores are derived using a population-weighted spatial join. Because US Zip Codes and Census Tracts do not share perfectly aligned boundaries, a simple geographic average would be misleading. We utilize US Census Block Group population statistics to identify where residents actually live within a Zip Code. We then intersect these points with FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) hazard data to calculate a weighted exposure score.

Financial Projections (EAL)

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) estimates the average economic impact of natural hazards in dollars per year. This calculation incorporates three components: Exposure (the value of structures and agriculture), Annualized Frequency (historical probability), and Historic Loss Ratio (vulnerability of the area).

Primary Data Sources

  • FEMA National Risk IndexHazard frequency and loss data (v1.20.0)
  • U.S. Census BureauTIGER/Line 2025 Shapefiles & Decennial Population

Nearby Locations

Zip Code 23455Zip Code 23518Zip Code 23502Zip Code 23462Zip Code 23503Zip Code 23513