Photo: Alma mater · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Harrisonburg than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrisonburg gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #75 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1982.
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 Harrisonburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Harrisonburg 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 Harrisonburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harrisonburg, and Harrisonburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A #75 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Harrisonburg’s residents live in 11 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, Harrisonburg has less expected damage per building than 71% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.0M a year in losses across Harrisonburg: $7.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harrisonburg flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harrisonburg, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran3 claims · $4K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $23K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $8K
Harrisonburg 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harrisonburg
Disasters that paid out in Harrisonburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harrisonburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$169K to the City of Harrisonburg for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel44 households applied for aid$55K aid approved$13K to the City of Harrisonburg for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $23K
has had 11 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 Harrisonburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harrisonburg archive →Get ready for what Harrisonburg 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 Harrisonburg
Is Harrisonburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrisonburg has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #75 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Harrisonburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Harrisonburg since 1982, $538K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (3).
Is Harrisonburg 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, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Harrisonburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harrisonburg’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 Harrisonburg?
By FEMA money that reached Harrisonburg, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $169K to the City of Harrisonburg for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 3 paid, $4K.
Is Harrisonburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Harrisonburg’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harrisonburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harrisonburg’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.