Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Charlottesville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charlottesville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #145 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 37 claims here since 1979.
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 Charlottesville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Charlottesville 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
Earthquakes
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 Charlottesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Charlottesville, and Charlottesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 12% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #145 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Charlottesville’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, Charlottesville has more expected damage per building than 57% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.2M a year in losses across Charlottesville: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Charlottesville flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Charlottesville, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran4 claims · $38K
Charlottesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: the county.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Charlottesville
Disasters that paid out in Charlottesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Charlottesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene6 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$41K to the City of Charlottesville for repairs
- 2011Earthquake137 households applied for aid$157K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$70K to the City of Charlottesville for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel113 households applied for aid$77K aid approved$119K to the City of Charlottesville for repairs
has had 10 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 Charlottesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Charlottesville archive →Charlottesville and its neighbors
Charlottesville 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Virginia | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Charlottesville | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Pantops | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Charlottesville 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Charlottesville
Is Charlottesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charlottesville has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #145 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Charlottesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Charlottesville since 1979, $420K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (4).
Is Charlottesville 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 the county, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Charlottesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Charlottesville’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 Charlottesville?
By FEMA money that reached Charlottesville, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 113 households applied for aid, $77K approved, and $119K to the City of Charlottesville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 4 paid, $38K.
Is Charlottesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Charlottesville’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Charlottesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Charlottesville’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.