Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Blue Ridge’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blue Ridge gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #93 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1985.
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 Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blue Ridge, and Blue Ridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
A #93 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Blue Ridge’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, Blue Ridge has less expected damage per building than 63% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $559K a year in losses across Blue Ridge: $394K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blue Ridge flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blue Ridge, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Blue Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Botetourt County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Blue Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Blue Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to Blue Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding From the Remanants of Hurricane Jeanne4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Botetourt County has had 20 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 Blue Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blue Ridge archive →Blue Ridge and its neighbors
Blue Ridge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laymantown | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Blue Ridge | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge
Is Blue Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blue Ridge has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #93 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Blue Ridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Blue Ridge since 1985, $44K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Blue Ridge 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 Botetourt County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Blue Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blue Ridge’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 Blue Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Blue Ridge, Severe Storms and Flooding From the Remanants of Hurricane Jeanne (2004): 4 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Blue Ridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Blue Ridge’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blue Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blue Ridge’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.