Photo: Cculber007 at en.wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Cave Spring faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cave Spring gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Cave Spring faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Cave Spring’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cave Spring, and Cave Spring’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cave Spring’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $723K a year in losses across Cave Spring: $471K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cave Spring flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cave Spring, from FEMA’s records: 34.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cave Spring isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Floyd County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Cave Spring
Disasters that paid out in Cave Spring itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cave Spring), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding90 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
Floyd County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Cave Spring after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cave Spring archive →Get ready for what Cave Spring faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cave Spring
Is Cave Spring at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cave Spring has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cave Spring flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Cave Spring since 1979, $164K in all, or 34.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Cave Spring in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Floyd County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cave Spring?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cave Spring’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Cave Spring?
By FEMA money that reached Cave Spring, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (2011): 90 households applied for aid, $36K approved.
Is Cave Spring at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Cave Spring’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cave Spring.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cave Spring’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.