Downtown Hopewell Historic District (Boundary Increase) · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Hopewell than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopewell gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #190 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hurricanes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1999.
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 Hopewell 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 Hopewell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hopewell, and Hopewell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #190 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hopewell’s residents live in 6 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, Hopewell has more expected damage per building than 75% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Hopewell: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hopewell flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hopewell, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel5 claims · $49K
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $11K
Hopewell 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hopewell
Disasters that paid out in Hopewell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hopewell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene$161K to the City of Hopewell for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes Associated W Td Gaston8 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel539 households applied for aid$209K aid approved$476K to the City of Hopewell for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $49K
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$39K to the City of Hopewell for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$51K to the City of Hopewell for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $11K
has had 13 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 Hopewell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hopewell archive →Hopewell and its neighbors
Hopewell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enon | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hopewell | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Hopewell 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 Hopewell
Is Hopewell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopewell has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #190 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hurricanes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hopewell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Hopewell since 1999, $146K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (5).
Is Hopewell 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, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hopewell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hopewell’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 Hopewell?
By FEMA money that reached Hopewell, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 539 households applied for aid, $209K approved, and $476K to the City of Hopewell for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 5 paid, $49K.
Is Hopewell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Hopewell’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hopewell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hopewell’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.