Photo: self · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Burke than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burke gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #136 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1989.
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 Burke 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
Hurricanes
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 Burke’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burke, and Burke’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #136 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burke’s residents live in 12 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, Burke has more expected damage per building than 54% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Burke: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burke flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burke, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $4K
Burke isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fairfax County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Burke
Disasters that paid out in Burke itself (aid to households or repair grants to Burke), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel15 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Fairfax 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 Burke after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burke archive →Burke and its neighbors
Burke is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Branch | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Kings Park | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Burke Centre | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Newington Forest | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Burke | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| West Springfield | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Fairfax Station | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Kings Park West | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| South Run | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Burke 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Burke
Is Burke at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burke has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #136 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burke flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Burke since 1989, $27K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Burke 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 Fairfax County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burke?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burke’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 Burke?
By FEMA money that reached Burke, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 15 households applied for aid, $8K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Burke at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Burke’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burke.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burke’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.