Pentagon, The (Boundary Increase) · Photo: Touch Of Light · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Arlington faces less hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arlington gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #79 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 123 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 Arlington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Arlington 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 Arlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arlington, and Arlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #79 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Arlington’s residents live in 70 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, Arlington has less expected damage per building than 69% of Virginia towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Arlington has lower expected damage per building than 95% (#22 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $37.6M, is the 310th largest of those 400.
Does Arlington flood? Yes: 123 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arlington, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $486
- Hurricane Isabel2 claims · $36K
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $4K
Arlington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Arlington County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Arlington
Disasters that paid out in Arlington itself (aid to households or repair grants to Arlington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel74 households applied for aid$39K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $36K
Arlington County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Arlington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arlington archive →Arlington and its neighbors
Arlington is 3rd of the 6 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 |
| Arlington | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| Falls Church | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| McLean | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Alexandria | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 298 |
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 Arlington 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 Arlington
Is Arlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arlington has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #79 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Arlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 123 claims in Arlington since 1978, $1.9M in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Arlington 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 Arlington County, 1.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Arlington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Arlington’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 Arlington?
By FEMA money that reached Arlington, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 74 households applied for aid, $39K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $486.
Is Arlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Arlington’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arlington’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.