Photo: Photo by Brian Wheeler, Charlottesville Tomorrow. · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Crozet faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crozet gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #236 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Crozet 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
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 Crozet’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crozet, and Crozet’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C #236 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crozet’s residents live in 3 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, Crozet has more expected damage per building than 93% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Crozet: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crozet flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Crozet. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Crozet isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Albemarle County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crozet
Disasters that paid out in Crozet itself (aid to households or repair grants to Crozet), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Earthquake10 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel6 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
Albemarle County has had 21 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Albemarle County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Crozet after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crozet archive →Get ready for what Crozet 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.
- 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 Crozet
Is Crozet at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crozet has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #236 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Crozet 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 Albemarle County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Crozet?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crozet’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 Crozet?
By FEMA money that reached Crozet, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 6 households applied for aid, $19K approved.
Is Crozet at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Crozet’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crozet.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crozet’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.