Photo: Sleddog116 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Martinsville faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Martinsville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #132 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1996.
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 Martinsville 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 Martinsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Martinsville, and Martinsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 9% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #132 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Martinsville’s 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, Martinsville has more expected damage per building than 52% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Martinsville: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Martinsville flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Martinsville, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran2 claims · $38K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $6K
2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Martinsville
Disasters that paid out in Martinsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Martinsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$364K to the City of Martinsville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$53K to the City of Martinsville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
has had 9 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 Martinsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Martinsville archive →Martinsville and its neighbors
Martinsville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martinsville | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Villa Heights | — | 601 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Martinsville 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 Martinsville
Is Martinsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Martinsville has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #132 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Martinsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Martinsville since 1996, $378K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (2).
Is Martinsville 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.
How much is flood insurance in Martinsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Martinsville’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 Martinsville?
By FEMA money that reached Martinsville, Tropical Storm Michael (2018): $364K to the City of Martinsville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 2 paid, $38K.
Is Martinsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Martinsville’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Martinsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Martinsville’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.