Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Clifton Forge than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clifton Forge gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #239 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1978.
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 Clifton Forge 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 Clifton Forge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clifton Forge, and Clifton Forge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C #239 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clifton Forge’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, Clifton Forge has more expected damage per building than 94% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Clifton Forge: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clifton Forge flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clifton Forge, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Clifton Forge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Alleghany County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clifton Forge
Disasters that paid out in Clifton Forge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clifton Forge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$106K to the Town of Clifton Forge for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$58K to the Town of Clifton Forge for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$110K to the Town of Clifton Forge for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$39K to the Town of Clifton Forge for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the Town of Clifton Forge for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$60K to the Town of Clifton Forge for repairs
Show all 10
- 2009Snowstorm$39K to the Town of Clifton Forge for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$5K to the Town of Clifton Forge for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$10K to the Town of Clifton Forge for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the Town of Clifton Forge for repairs
Alleghany County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Clifton Forge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clifton Forge archive →Clifton Forge and its neighbors
Clifton Forge has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton Forge | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Selma | — | 146 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Clifton Forge 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 Clifton Forge
Is Clifton Forge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clifton Forge has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #239 of 253 in Virginia. 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 Clifton Forge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Clifton Forge since 1978, $78K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Clifton Forge 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 Alleghany County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clifton Forge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clifton Forge’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 Clifton Forge?
By FEMA money that reached Clifton Forge, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $110K to the Town of Clifton Forge for repairs.
Is Clifton Forge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Clifton Forge’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clifton Forge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clifton Forge’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.