Photo: Puritan Nerd · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Farmville than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #157 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 40 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 Farmville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Farmville 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
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 Farmville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Farmville, and Farmville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #157 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Farmville’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, Farmville has more expected damage per building than 62% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Farmville: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Farmville flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Farmville, from FEMA’s records: 12.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran11 claims · $319K
- Hurricane Eta6 claims · $266K
- Hurricane Michael2 claims · $101K
Farmville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Prince Edward County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Farmville
Disasters that paid out in Farmville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Farmville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$92K to the Town of Farmville for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $101K
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes Associated W Td Gaston1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel85 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$20K to the Town of Farmville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
Prince Edward 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 Farmville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Farmville archive →Get ready for what Farmville 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.
- 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 Farmville
Is Farmville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmville has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #157 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Farmville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Farmville since 1978, $744K in all, or 12.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (11).
Is Farmville 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 Prince Edward County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Farmville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Farmville’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 Farmville?
By FEMA money that reached Farmville, Tropical Storm Michael (2018): $92K to the Town of Farmville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 11 paid, $319K.
Is Farmville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Farmville’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Farmville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Farmville’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.