Clinch Valley Roller Mills · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Cedar Bluff than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedar Bluff gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1981.
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 Cedar Bluff 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 Cedar Bluff’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cedar Bluff, and Cedar Bluff’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cedar Bluff’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $468K a year in losses across Cedar Bluff: $385K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cedar Bluff flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cedar Bluff, from FEMA’s records: 16.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Virginia Flash Flooding2 claims · $7K
Cedar Bluff isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tazewell County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cedar Bluff
Disasters that paid out in Cedar Bluff itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cedar Bluff), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene270 households applied for aid$254K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding64 households applied for aid$81K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Tazewell County has had 22 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 Cedar Bluff after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cedar Bluff archive →Cedar Bluff and its neighbors
Cedar Bluff is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claypool Hill | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cedar Bluff | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Richlands | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 125 |
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 Cedar Bluff 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 Cedar Bluff
Is Cedar Bluff at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedar Bluff has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cedar Bluff flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Cedar Bluff since 1981, $68K in all, or 16.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Virginia Flash Flooding (2).
Is Cedar Bluff 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 Tazewell County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cedar Bluff?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cedar Bluff’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 Cedar Bluff?
By FEMA money that reached Cedar Bluff, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 270 households applied for aid, $254K approved. By flood claims, Virginia Flash Flooding: 2 paid, $7K.
Is Cedar Bluff at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Cedar Bluff’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cedar Bluff.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cedar Bluff’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.