Photo: Ben Schumin · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Alexandria as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alexandria gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #208 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 298 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Alexandria’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Alexandria 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
Hurricanes
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 Alexandria’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alexandria, and Alexandria’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B #208 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alexandria’s residents live in 47 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, Alexandria has more expected damage per building than 82% of Virginia towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Alexandria has lower expected damage per building than 67% (#131 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $40.1M, is the 294th largest of those 400.
Does Alexandria flood? Yes: 298 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alexandria, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel40 claims · $1.7M
- Hurricane Fran6 claims · $88K
- Tropical Storm Ernesto2 claims · $66K
Alexandria is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: the county.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alexandria
Disasters that paid out in Alexandria itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alexandria), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene19 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$955K to the City of Alexandria for repairs
- 2011The Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$797K to the City of Alexandria for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$286K to the City of Alexandria for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$1.7M to the City of Alexandria for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$623K to the City of Alexandria for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$1.5M to the City of Alexandria for repairs35 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel796 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$812K to the City of Alexandria for repairs40 flood claims paid for it, $1.7M
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide$203K to the City of Alexandria for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$261K to the City of Alexandria for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Alexandria after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alexandria archive →Alexandria and its neighbors
Alexandria is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 227 |
| Bailey's Crossroads | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Lincolnia | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Rose Hill | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Arlington | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| Alexandria | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 298 |
| Belle Haven | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| Huntington | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 194 |
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 Alexandria 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- Alexandria residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Alexandria
Is Alexandria at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alexandria has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #208 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alexandria flood?
Flood insurance has paid 298 claims in Alexandria since 1978, $7.7M in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 39 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (40).
Is Alexandria 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 the county, 2.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Alexandria?
Alexandria is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Alexandria?
By FEMA money that reached Alexandria, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 796 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $812K to the City of Alexandria for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 40 paid, $1.7M.
Is Alexandria at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Alexandria’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alexandria.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alexandria’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.