Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Manassas than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manassas gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #146 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 22 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 Manassas’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Manassas 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
Tornadoes
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 Manassas’ grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manassas, and Manassas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #146 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manassas’ residents live in 7 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, Manassas has more expected damage per building than 58% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across Manassas: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manassas flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manassas, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Manassas 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manassas
Disasters that paid out in Manassas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manassas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$222K to the City of Manassas for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$27K to the City of Manassas for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$175K to the City of Manassas for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$146K to the City of Manassas for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel42 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$174K to the City of Manassas for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide$78K to the City of Manassas for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$63K to the City of Manassas for repairs
has had 11 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 Manassas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manassas archive →Manassas and its neighbors
Manassas is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovation | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Manassas | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Buckhall | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Manassas Park | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Loch Lomond | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
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 Manassas 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Manassas
Is Manassas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manassas has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #146 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manassas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Manassas since 1978, $238K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Manassas 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, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Manassas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manassas’ 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 Manassas?
By FEMA money that reached Manassas, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $222K to the City of Manassas for repairs.
Is Manassas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Manassas’ rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manassas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manassas’ 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.