Photo: Mbinebri / Matthew Binebrink · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Chincoteague than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chincoteague gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (73%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 114 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 stands out about Chincoteague’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chincoteague faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
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 Chincoteague’s grade
Coastal flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chincoteague, and Chincoteague’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 21%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #253 of 253 in Virginia; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chincoteague’s residents live in 2 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, Chincoteague has more expected damage per building than 100% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.2M a year in losses across Chincoteague: $10.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chincoteague flood? Yes: 114 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chincoteague, from FEMA’s records: 25.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy47 claims · $536K
- The November 2009 nor’easter21 claims · $125K
- Tropical Storm Ernesto4 claims · $69K
Chincoteague is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Accomack County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chincoteague
Disasters that paid out in Chincoteague itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Chincoteague), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$122K to the Town of Chincoteague for repairs47 flood claims paid for it, $536K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$28K to the Town of Chincoteague for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
- 2006Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the Town of Chincoteague for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $69K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel$1K to the Town of Chincoteague for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Accomack County has had 15 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 Chincoteague after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chincoteague archive →Get ready for what Chincoteague faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Chincoteague 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 Chincoteague
Is Chincoteague at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chincoteague has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (73%) and hurricanes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chincoteague flood?
Flood insurance has paid 114 claims in Chincoteague since 1989, $1.0M in all, or 25.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 17 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (47).
Is Chincoteague 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 Accomack County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 13.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chincoteague?
Chincoteague 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 Chincoteague?
By FEMA money that reached Chincoteague, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $122K to the Town of Chincoteague for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 47 paid, $536K.
Is Chincoteague at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Chincoteague’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chincoteague.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chincoteague’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.