Photo: Urbancam · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Ashland than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #44 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1985.
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 Ashland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ashland 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
Tornadoes
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 Ashland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ashland, and Ashland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 23% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A #44 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ashland’s residents live in 4 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, Ashland has less expected damage per building than 83% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Ashland: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ashland flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ashland, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $4K
Ashland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Hanover County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ashland
Disasters that paid out in Ashland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ashland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes Associated W Td Gaston19 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel217 households applied for aid$131K aid approved$236K to the Town of Ashland for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
Hanover County has had 19 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.
Old photos of Ashland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ashland archive →Get ready for what Ashland 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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.
- Ashland residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ashland
Is Ashland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #44 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ashland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Ashland since 1985, $22K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1).
Is Ashland 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 Hanover County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ashland?
Ashland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Ashland?
By FEMA money that reached Ashland, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 217 households applied for aid, $131K approved, and $236K to the Town of Ashland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Ashland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Ashland’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ashland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ashland’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.