Photo: DwayneP · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Buchanan’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buchanan gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 56 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 stands out about Buchanan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Buchanan 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 Buchanan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buchanan, and Buchanan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Buchanan’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $537K a year in losses across Buchanan: $415K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buchanan flood? Sometimes: 56 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buchanan, from FEMA’s records: 89.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan6 claims · $176K
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $35K
Buchanan 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Buchanan
Disasters that paid out in Buchanan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Buchanan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$25K to the Town of Buchanan for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$14K to the Town of Buchanan for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding From the Remanants of Hurricane Jeanne4 households applied for aid$739 aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
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 Buchanan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buchanan archive →Get ready for what Buchanan 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 Buchanan
Is Buchanan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buchanan has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Buchanan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 56 claims in Buchanan since 1978, $1.7M in all, or 89.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (6).
Is Buchanan 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 Buchanan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buchanan’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 Buchanan?
By FEMA money that reached Buchanan, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2025): $25K to the Town of Buchanan for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 6 paid, $176K.
Is Buchanan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Buchanan’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buchanan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buchanan’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.