Photo: Pejcharat · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Hampton faces less hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hampton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #106 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 4,715 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 Hampton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hampton 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
Coastal 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 Hampton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hampton, and Hampton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 13%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A #106 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hampton’s residents live in 36 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, Hampton has less expected damage per building than 58% of Virginia towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Hampton has lower expected damage per building than 93% (#29 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $23.4M, is the 376th largest of those 400.
Does Hampton flood? Yes: 4,715 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hampton, from FEMA’s records: 75.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1,968 claims · $33.9M
- The November 2009 nor’easter1,059 claims · $19.8M
- Hurricane Irene329 claims · $4.2M
Hampton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: the county.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hampton
Disasters that paid out in Hampton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hampton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence$237K to the City of Hampton for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew219 households applied for aid$282K aid approved$463K to the City of Hampton for repairs96 flood claims paid for it, $2.3M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$836K to the City of Hampton for repairs329 flood claims paid for it, $4.2M
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'east$474K to the City of Hampton for repairs1,082 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel7,516 households applied for aid$5.4M aid approved$16.8M to the City of Hampton for repairs1,968 flood claims paid for it, $33.9M
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$106K to the City of Hampton for repairs273 flood claims paid for it, $3.2M
has had 16 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 Hampton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hampton archive →Hampton and its neighbors
Hampton is 2nd of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport News | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 790 |
| Hampton | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 4,715 |
| Norfolk | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4,748 |
| Portsmouth | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1,333 |
| Bethel Manor | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Poquoson | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 3,811 |
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 Hampton 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Hampton residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hampton
Is Hampton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hampton has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #106 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hampton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4,715 claims in Hampton since 1978, $74.9M in all, or 75.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 915 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1,968).
Is Hampton 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, 17.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hampton?
Hampton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Hampton?
By FEMA money that reached Hampton, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 7,516 households applied for aid, $5.4M approved, and $16.8M to the City of Hampton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1,968 paid, $33.9M.
Is Hampton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Hampton’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hampton’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.