Photo: Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in George Mason than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, George Mason gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #8 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 George Mason 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 George Mason’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in George Mason, and George Mason’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #8 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
George Mason’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, George Mason has less expected damage per building than 97% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across George Mason: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does George Mason flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in George Mason, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Bill1 claim · $3K
George Mason isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fairfax County.The storms George Mason remembers
None of the 16 disasters declared for Fairfax County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching George Mason itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20151 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Fairfax County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of George Mason after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the George Mason archive →George Mason and its neighbors
George Mason has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Long Branch | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Fair Oaks | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Fairfax | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Kings Park West | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Braddock | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 George Mason 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 George Mason
Is George Mason at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, George Mason has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #8 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does George Mason flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in George Mason since 2015, $3K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Bill (1).
Is George Mason 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 Fairfax County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in George Mason?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for George Mason’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 George Mason?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Bill: 1 paid, $3K.
Is George Mason at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and George Mason’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in George Mason.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where George Mason’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.