Carter Glass House · Photo: Richard Cheek, Photographer · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Lynchburg faces less hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynchburg gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #114 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 90 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 Lynchburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lynchburg 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 Lynchburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lynchburg, and Lynchburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #114 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lynchburg’s residents live in 23 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, Lynchburg has less expected damage per building than 55% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.8M a year in losses across Lynchburg: $12.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lynchburg flood? Sometimes: 90 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lynchburg, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran10 claims · $173K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $44K
Lynchburg 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lynchburg
Disasters that paid out in Lynchburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lynchburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$1.7M to the City of Lynchburg for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel16 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$17K to the City of Lynchburg for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $44K
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$174K to the City of Lynchburg for repairs
has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lynchburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lynchburg archive →Lynchburg and its neighbors
Lynchburg is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timberlake | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Forest | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Madison Heights | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lynchburg | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
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 Lynchburg 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 Lynchburg
Is Lynchburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynchburg has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #114 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lynchburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 90 claims in Lynchburg since 1978, $3.7M in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (10).
Is Lynchburg 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 Lynchburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lynchburg’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 Lynchburg?
By FEMA money that reached Lynchburg, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $1.7M to the City of Lynchburg for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 10 paid, $173K.
Is Lynchburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Lynchburg’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lynchburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lynchburg’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.