Photo: Carmenshields · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Gloucester Point than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gloucester Point gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #163 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then coastal flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1991.
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 Gloucester Point’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gloucester Point 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
Coastal 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 Gloucester Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gloucester Point, and Gloucester Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 21%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #163 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gloucester Point’s residents live in 4 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, Gloucester Point has more expected damage per building than 64% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Gloucester Point: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gloucester Point flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gloucester Point, 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 Isabel11 claims · $281K
- The November 2009 nor’easter3 claims · $24K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $90
Gloucester Point isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gloucester County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Gloucester Point
Disasters that paid out in Gloucester Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to Gloucester Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel131 households applied for aid$84K aid approved11 flood claims paid for it, $281K
Gloucester County has had 15 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 Gloucester Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gloucester Point archive →Get ready for what Gloucester Point 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Gloucester Point
Is Gloucester Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gloucester Point has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #163 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and coastal flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gloucester Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Gloucester Point since 1991, $384K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (11).
Is Gloucester Point 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 Gloucester County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gloucester Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gloucester Point’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 Gloucester Point?
By FEMA money that reached Gloucester Point, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 131 households applied for aid, $84K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 11 paid, $281K.
Is Gloucester Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Gloucester Point’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gloucester Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gloucester Point’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.