Photo: Corvokarasu at English Wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Emporia faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Emporia gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #234 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hurricanes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Emporia 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 Emporia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Emporia, and Emporia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 31% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C #234 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Emporia’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, Emporia has more expected damage per building than 92% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Emporia: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Emporia flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Emporia, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $3K
- Hurricane Michael1 claim · $6K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $1K
Emporia 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Emporia
Disasters that paid out in Emporia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Emporia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene$191K to the City of Emporia for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel781 households applied for aid$428K aid approved$111K to the City of Emporia for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$22K to the City of Emporia for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$44K to the City of Emporia for repairs
has had 12 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 Emporia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Emporia archive →Get ready for what Emporia 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 Emporia
Is Emporia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Emporia has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #234 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hurricanes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Emporia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Emporia since 1978, $34K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Emporia 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, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Emporia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Emporia’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 Emporia?
By FEMA money that reached Emporia, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 781 households applied for aid, $428K approved, and $111K to the City of Emporia for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Emporia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Emporia’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Emporia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Emporia’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.