Henrico Theatre · Photo: Crazyale · CC0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Highland Springs than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland Springs gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #39 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (14%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Highland Springs 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
Earthquakes
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 Highland Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Highland Springs, and Highland Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #39 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Highland Springs’ residents live in 5 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, Highland Springs has less expected damage per building than 85% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Highland Springs: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Highland Springs flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Highland Springs. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Highland Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henrico County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Highland Springs
Disasters that paid out in Highland Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to Highland Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes Associated W Td Gaston14 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel202 households applied for aid$71K aid approved
Henrico County has had 18 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 Highland Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Highland Springs archive →Highland Springs and its neighbors
Highland Springs is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Highland Park | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Highland Springs | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Highland Springs 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Highland Springs
Is Highland Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland Springs has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #39 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Highland Springs 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 Henrico County, 95% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Highland Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Highland Springs’ 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 Highland Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Highland Springs, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 202 households applied for aid, $71K approved.
Is Highland Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Highland Springs’ rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Highland Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Highland Springs’ 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.