Clermont · Photo: Betsy Fields · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Berryville than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berryville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #104 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). 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 Berryville 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
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 Berryville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Berryville, and Berryville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
A #104 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Berryville’s residents live in 2 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, Berryville has less expected damage per building than 59% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Berryville: $958K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Berryville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Berryville, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $105K
Berryville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clarke County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Berryville
Disasters that paid out in Berryville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Berryville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Town of Berryville for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$9K to the Town of Berryville for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$12K to the Town of Berryville for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel3 households applied for aid$2K to the Town of Berryville for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide$5K to the Town of Berryville for repairs
Clarke County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Berryville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Berryville archive →Get ready for what Berryville 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.
- 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 Berryville
Is Berryville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berryville has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #104 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Berryville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Berryville since 1996, $134K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (1).
Is Berryville 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 Clarke County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Berryville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Berryville’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 Berryville?
By FEMA money that reached Berryville, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $18K to the Town of Berryville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 1 paid, $105K.
Is Berryville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Berryville’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Berryville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Berryville’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.