Photo: Adamster524 · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Abingdon than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Abingdon gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #38 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1982.
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 Abingdon 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
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 Abingdon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Abingdon, and Abingdon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #38 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Abingdon’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Virginia town has lower expected damage than 81% of U.S. towns; within the state, Abingdon has less expected damage per building than 85% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Abingdon: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Abingdon flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Abingdon, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $11K
Abingdon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Abingdon
Disasters that paid out in Abingdon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Abingdon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene281 households applied for aid$157K aid approved$1.0M to the Town of Abingdon for repairs
Washington County has had 17 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 Abingdon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Abingdon archive →Get ready for what Abingdon 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.
- 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 Abingdon
Is Abingdon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Abingdon has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #38 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Abingdon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Abingdon since 1982, $155K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (1).
Is Abingdon 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 Washington County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Abingdon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Abingdon’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 Abingdon?
By FEMA money that reached Abingdon, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 281 households applied for aid, $157K approved, and $1.0M to the Town of Abingdon for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 1 paid, $11K.
Is Abingdon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Abingdon’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Abingdon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Abingdon’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.