Photo: Dadadata · Public domainFEMA puts Cape Charles’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cape Charles gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (70%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 stands out about Cape Charles’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cape Charles faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
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 Cape Charles’ grade
Hurricanes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cape Charles, and Cape Charles’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cape Charles’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $907K a year in losses across Cape Charles: $582K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cape Charles flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cape Charles, from FEMA’s records: 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy3 claims · $61K
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $16K
- Tropical Storm Ernesto2 claims · $7K
Cape Charles is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Northampton County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cape Charles
Disasters that paid out in Cape Charles itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cape Charles), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$291K to the Town of Cape Charles for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $61K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$32K to the Town of Cape Charles for repairs
- 2011Earthquake$6K to the Town of Cape Charles for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'east$61K to the Town of Cape Charles for repairs
- 2006Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Town of Cape Charles for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel38 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$8K to the Town of Cape Charles for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$3K to the Town of Cape Charles for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $16K
Northampton County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Cape Charles after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cape Charles archive →Get ready for what Cape Charles faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cape Charles residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cape Charles
Is Cape Charles at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cape Charles has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (70%) and river and rain flooding (19%). 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 Cape Charles flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Cape Charles since 1985, $95K in all, or 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (3).
Is Cape Charles 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 Northampton County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cape Charles?
Cape Charles is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Cape Charles?
By FEMA money that reached Cape Charles, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $291K to the Town of Cape Charles for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 3 paid, $61K.
Is Cape Charles at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Cape Charles’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cape Charles.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cape Charles’ 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.