Photo: KJPurscell · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Big Stone Gap faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Stone Gap gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #249 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 47 claims here since 1979.
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 Big Stone Gap’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Big Stone Gap 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 Big Stone Gap’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Big Stone Gap, and Big Stone Gap’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #249 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Big Stone Gap’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, Big Stone Gap has more expected damage per building than 98% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Big Stone Gap: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Big Stone Gap flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Big Stone Gap, from FEMA’s records: 24.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains7 claims · $85K
Big Stone Gap isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wise County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Big Stone Gap
Disasters that paid out in Big Stone Gap itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Big Stone Gap), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene179 households applied for aid$83K aid approved$92K to the Town of Big Stone Gap for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the Town of Big Stone Gap for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide86 households applied for aid$134K aid approved$28K to the Town of Big Stone Gap for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$33K to the Town of Big Stone Gap for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$30K to the Town of Big Stone Gap for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Wise County has had 16 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 Big Stone Gap after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Big Stone Gap archive →Big Stone Gap and its neighbors
Big Stone Gap has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Stone Gap | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Big Stone Gap East | — | 567 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Big Stone Gap 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 Big Stone Gap
Is Big Stone Gap at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Stone Gap has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #249 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Big Stone Gap flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in Big Stone Gap since 1979, $345K in all, or 24.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (7).
Is Big Stone Gap 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 Wise County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Big Stone Gap?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Big Stone Gap’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 Big Stone Gap?
By FEMA money that reached Big Stone Gap, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 179 households applied for aid, $83K approved, and $92K to the Town of Big Stone Gap for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 7 paid, $85K.
Is Big Stone Gap at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Big Stone Gap’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Big Stone Gap.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Big Stone Gap’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.