Photo: Luray24 · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Luray than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Luray gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #246 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1985.
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 Luray’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Luray 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
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 Luray’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Luray, and Luray’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #246 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Luray’s residents live in 3 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, Luray has more expected damage per building than 97% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Luray: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Luray flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Luray, from FEMA’s records: 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran24 claims · $803K
- Hurricane Isabel6 claims · $90K
Luray isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Page County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Luray
Disasters that paid out in Luray itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Luray), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$18K to the Town of Luray for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Town of Luray for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel128 households applied for aid$152K aid approved$46K to the Town of Luray for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $90K
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$11K to the Town of Luray for repairs
Page County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. 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 Page County, 2002–2002.
Old photos of Luray after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Luray archive →Get ready for what Luray 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.
- 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 Luray
Is Luray at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Luray has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #246 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Luray flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Luray since 1985, $1.0M in all, or 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (24).
Is Luray 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 Page County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Luray?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Luray’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 Luray?
By FEMA money that reached Luray, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 128 households applied for aid, $152K approved, and $46K to the Town of Luray for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 24 paid, $803K.
Is Luray at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Luray’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Luray.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Luray’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.