Photo: Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Fredericksburg faces less hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fredericksburg gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #141 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1979.
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 Fredericksburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fredericksburg 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
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Fredericksburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fredericksburg, and Fredericksburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 9% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #141 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fredericksburg’s residents live in 7 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, Fredericksburg has more expected damage per building than 56% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Fredericksburg: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fredericksburg flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fredericksburg, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran5 claims · $56K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $4K
Fredericksburg 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 Fredericksburg
Disasters that paid out in Fredericksburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fredericksburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene10 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$71K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$149K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$56K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs
- 2011Earthquake919 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$31K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$14K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs
Show all 9
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$136K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel357 households applied for aid$278K aid approved$305K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$42K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs
has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Fredericksburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fredericksburg archive →Fredericksburg and its neighbors
Fredericksburg has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fredericksburg | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Falmouth | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Chatham Heights | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Fredericksburg 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Fredericksburg
Is Fredericksburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fredericksburg has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #141 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fredericksburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Fredericksburg since 1979, $264K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (5).
Is Fredericksburg 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, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fredericksburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fredericksburg’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 Fredericksburg?
By FEMA money that reached Fredericksburg, Earthquake (2011): 919 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $31K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 5 paid, $56K.
Is Fredericksburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Fredericksburg’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fredericksburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fredericksburg’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.