Photo: Miguel Gereda · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Danville than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Danville gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #171 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 130 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 stands out about Danville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Danville 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 Danville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Danville, and Danville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #171 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Danville’s residents live in 16 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, Danville has more expected damage per building than 67% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.4M a year in losses across Danville: $16.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Danville flood? Yes: 130 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Danville, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Michael36 claims · $2.3M
- Hurricane Fran6 claims · $40K
- Hurricane Eta2 claims · $89K
Danville 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Danville
Disasters that paid out in Danville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Danville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$28K to the City of Danville for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene7 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$56K to the City of Danville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$756K to the City of Danville for repairs
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$6.9M to the City of Danville for repairs36 flood claims paid for it, $2.3M
- 2018Hurricane Florence$141K to the City of Danville for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$290K to the City of Danville for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Hurricane Isabel104 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$372K to the City of Danville for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide$400K to the City of Danville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$152K to the City of Danville for repairs
has had 14 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 Danville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Danville archive →Get ready for what Danville 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 Danville
Is Danville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Danville has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #171 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Danville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 130 claims in Danville since 1978, $4.9M in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 22 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Michael (36).
Is Danville 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, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Danville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Danville’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 Danville?
By FEMA money that reached Danville, Tropical Storm Michael (2018): $6.9M to the City of Danville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Michael: 36 paid, $2.3M.
Is Danville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Danville’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Danville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Danville’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.