Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Vienna faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vienna gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then earthquakes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2008.
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 Vienna 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
Earthquakes
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 Vienna’s grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vienna, and Vienna’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 41%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vienna’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Vienna: $960K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vienna flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vienna, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $7K
Vienna isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.The storms Vienna remembers
None of the 4 disasters declared for Johnson County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Vienna itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20081 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Johnson County has had 4 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 Vienna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vienna archive →Get ready for what Vienna 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Vienna
Is Vienna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vienna has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and earthquakes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vienna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Vienna since 2008, $7K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Vienna 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 Johnson County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Vienna?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vienna’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 Vienna?
By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Vienna at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Vienna’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vienna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vienna’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.