Photo: P199 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Elkton faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elkton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #250 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1996.
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 Elkton 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 Elkton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elkton, and Elkton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #250 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elkton’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, Elkton has more expected damage per building than 99% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Elkton: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elkton flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elkton, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran3 claims · $48K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $3K
Elkton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockingham County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elkton
Disasters that paid out in Elkton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Elkton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel120 households applied for aid$205K aid approved$2K to the Town of Elkton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$2K to the Town of Elkton for repairs
Rockingham County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. 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 Rockingham County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Elkton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elkton archive →Get ready for what Elkton 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 Elkton
Is Elkton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elkton has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #250 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elkton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Elkton since 1996, $74K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (3).
Is Elkton 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 Rockingham County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elkton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elkton’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 Elkton?
By FEMA money that reached Elkton, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 120 households applied for aid, $205K approved, and $2K to the Town of Elkton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 3 paid, $48K.
Is Elkton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Elkton’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elkton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elkton’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.