Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bloomfield than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomfield gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Bloomfield 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 Bloomfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bloomfield, and Bloomfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bloomfield’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $506K a year in losses across Bloomfield: $315K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bloomfield flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bloomfield, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bloomfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nelson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Bloomfield
Disasters that paid out in Bloomfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bloomfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
Nelson County has had 19 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 Bloomfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bloomfield archive →Get ready for what Bloomfield 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 Bloomfield
Is Bloomfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomfield has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (8%). 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 Bloomfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Bloomfield since 1979, $2K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bloomfield 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 Nelson County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bloomfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bloomfield’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 Bloomfield?
By FEMA money that reached Bloomfield, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes (2010): 3 households applied for aid, $18K approved.
Is Bloomfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Bloomfield’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bloomfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bloomfield’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.