FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Basye than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Basye gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 Basye 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 Basye’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Basye, and Basye’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Basye’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $958K a year in losses across Basye: $848K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Basye flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Basye, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $2K
Basye isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shenandoah County.The storms Basye remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Shenandoah County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Basye itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Fran and Associated Severe Storm Cond, declared for Shenandoah County
- 20011 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20051 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Shenandoah County has had 19 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Shenandoah County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Basye after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Basye archive →Get ready for what Basye 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 Basye
Is Basye at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Basye has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (7%). 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 Basye flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Basye since 1996, $24K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (1).
Is Basye 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 Shenandoah County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Basye?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Basye’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 Basye?
By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Basye at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Basye’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Basye.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Basye’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.