Photo: Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Culpeper faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Culpeper gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #213 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2011.
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 Culpeper 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
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 Culpeper’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Culpeper, and Culpeper’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #213 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Culpeper’s residents live in 6 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, Culpeper has more expected damage per building than 84% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Culpeper: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Culpeper flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Culpeper, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Eta3 claims · $145K
Culpeper isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Culpeper County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Culpeper
Disasters that paid out in Culpeper itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Culpeper), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$99K to the Town of Culpeper for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$30K to the Town of Culpeper for repairs
- 2011Earthquake232 households applied for aid$317K aid approved$172K to the Town of Culpeper for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$48K to the Town of Culpeper for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the Town of Culpeper for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel17 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$19K to the Town of Culpeper for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$19K to the Town of Culpeper for repairs
Culpeper County has had 19 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 Culpeper after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Culpeper archive →Get ready for what Culpeper 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.
- 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 Culpeper
Is Culpeper at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Culpeper has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #213 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Culpeper flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Culpeper since 2011, $245K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Eta (3).
Is Culpeper 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 Culpeper County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Culpeper?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Culpeper’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 Culpeper?
By FEMA money that reached Culpeper, Earthquake (2011): 232 households applied for aid, $317K approved, and $172K to the Town of Culpeper for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Eta: 3 paid, $145K.
Is Culpeper at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Culpeper’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Culpeper.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Culpeper’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.