Pine Hall · Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Madison than in 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). 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 Madison 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
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 Madison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madison, and Madison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Madison’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Madison: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madison flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madison, from FEMA’s records: 17.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Cyclone Eight1 claim · $40K
- Hurricane Michael1 claim · $41K
- Hurricane Eta1 claim · $4K
Madison isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockingham County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madison
Disasters that paid out in Madison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Madison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Hurricane Ivan4 households applied for aid$359 aid approved
- 2003Ice Storm$4K to the Town of Madison for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$1K to the Town of Madison for repairs
Rockingham County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Madison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madison archive →Madison and its neighbors
Madison is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayodan | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Madison | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Madison 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.
- 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 Madison
Is Madison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Madison since 1979, $214K in all, or 17.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Cyclone Eight (1).
Is Madison 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 Rockingham County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Madison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Madison’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 Madison?
By FEMA money that reached Madison, Ice Storm (2003): $4K to the Town of Madison for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Cyclone Eight: 1 paid, $40K.
Is Madison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Madison’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madison’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.