Photo: Smash the Iron Cage · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Blacksburg than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blacksburg gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #2 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1978.
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 Blacksburg 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 Blacksburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blacksburg, and Blacksburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 13% (higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #2 of 253 in Virginia; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Blacksburg’s residents live in 11 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, Blacksburg has less expected damage per building than 100% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Blacksburg: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blacksburg flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blacksburg, 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.
- Hurricane Eta1 claim · $6K
Blacksburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blacksburg
Disasters that paid out in Blacksburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Blacksburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$55K to the Town of Blacksburg for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene59 households applied for aid$167K aid approved$68K to the Town of Blacksburg for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$161K to the Town of Blacksburg for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$53K to the Town of Blacksburg for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding From the Remanants of Hurricane Jeanne5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide2 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$24K to the Town of Blacksburg for repairs
Montgomery County has had 21 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 Blacksburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blacksburg archive →Blacksburg and its neighbors
Blacksburg is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimac | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Blacksburg | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Prices Fork | — | 900 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 Blacksburg 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 Blacksburg
Is Blacksburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blacksburg has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #2 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Blacksburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Blacksburg since 1978, $20K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Eta (1).
Is Blacksburg 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 Montgomery County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Blacksburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blacksburg’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 Blacksburg?
By FEMA money that reached Blacksburg, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 59 households applied for aid, $167K approved, and $68K to the Town of Blacksburg for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Eta: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Blacksburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Blacksburg’s rate for it is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blacksburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blacksburg’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.