Photo: Brigitte Luckett · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bedford than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #33 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Bedford 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
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 Bedford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bedford, and Bedford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 10% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #33 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bedford’s residents live in 5 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, Bedford has less expected damage per building than 87% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Bedford: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bedford flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bedford, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bedford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bedford County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bedford
Disasters that paid out in Bedford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bedford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$24K to the Town of Bedford for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene22 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$116K to the Town of Bedford for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel$17K to the Town of Bedford for repairs
Bedford County has had 25 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 Bedford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bedford archive →Get ready for what Bedford 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.
- 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 Bedford
Is Bedford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #33 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bedford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Bedford since 2018, $18K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bedford 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 Bedford County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bedford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bedford’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 Bedford?
By FEMA money that reached Bedford, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $116K to the Town of Bedford for repairs.
Is Bedford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Bedford’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bedford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bedford’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.