FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Bealeton as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bealeton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #228 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Bealeton 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
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 Bealeton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bealeton, and Bealeton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #228 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bealeton’s residents live in 3 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, Bealeton has more expected damage per building than 90% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Bealeton: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bealeton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Bealeton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Bealeton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fauquier County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Bealeton
Disasters that paid out in Bealeton itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bealeton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel6 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
Fauquier County has had 17 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.
Old photos of Bealeton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bealeton archive →Get ready for what Bealeton 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.
- 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 Bealeton
Is Bealeton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bealeton has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #228 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Bealeton 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 Fauquier County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bealeton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bealeton’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 Bealeton?
By FEMA money that reached Bealeton, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 6 households applied for aid, $12K approved.
Is Bealeton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Bealeton’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bealeton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bealeton’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.