Photo: Orygun · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Altavista as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Altavista gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #202 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1995.
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 Altavista 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 Altavista’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Altavista, and Altavista’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
B #202 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Altavista’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Virginia town has lower expected damage than 81% of U.S. towns; within the state, Altavista has more expected damage per building than 80% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Altavista: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Altavista flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Altavista, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran2 claims · $43K
- Hurricane Eta1 claim · $77K
Altavista isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Campbell County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Altavista
Disasters that paid out in Altavista itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Altavista), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Campbell County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Altavista after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Altavista archive →Altavista and its neighbors
Altavista 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurt | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Altavista | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Altavista 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Altavista
Is Altavista at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Altavista has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #202 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (5%). 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 Altavista flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Altavista since 1995, $234K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (2).
Is Altavista 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 Campbell County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Altavista?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Altavista’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 Altavista?
By FEMA money that reached Altavista, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 2 households applied for aid, $2K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 2 paid, $43K.
Is Altavista at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Altavista’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Altavista.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Altavista’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.