Harnsberger Octagonal Barn · Photo: Jack Boucher · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Grottoes than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grottoes gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #241 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2003.
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 Grottoes 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
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 Grottoes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grottoes, and Grottoes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C #241 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grottoes’ 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, Grottoes has more expected damage per building than 95% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Grottoes: $765K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grottoes flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grottoes, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel2 claims · $69K
Grottoes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockingham County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grottoes
Disasters that paid out in Grottoes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Grottoes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel21 households applied for aid$17K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $69K
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$2K to the Town of Grottoes for repairs
Rockingham County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Rockingham County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Grottoes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grottoes archive →Grottoes and its neighbors
Grottoes has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grottoes | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Port Republic | — | 510 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 Grottoes 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.
- 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 Grottoes
Is Grottoes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grottoes has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #241 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grottoes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Grottoes since 2003, $78K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (2).
Is Grottoes 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 Rockingham County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grottoes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grottoes’ 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 Grottoes?
By FEMA money that reached Grottoes, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 21 households applied for aid, $17K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 2 paid, $69K.
Is Grottoes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Grottoes’ rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grottoes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grottoes’ 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.