Photo: Bruce Emmerling · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Norfolk’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 80% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norfolk gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #135 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 4,748 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 Norfolk’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Norfolk 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
Coastal flooding
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 Norfolk’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norfolk, and Norfolk’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 8%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #135 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norfolk’s residents live in 78 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, Norfolk has more expected damage per building than 53% of Virginia towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Norfolk has lower expected damage per building than 90% (#41 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $45.4M, is the 268th largest of those 400.
Does Norfolk flood? Yes: 4,748 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norfolk, from FEMA’s records: 45.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The November 2009 nor’easter1,267 claims · $23.1M
- Hurricane Isabel1,108 claims · $16.1M
- Hurricane Irene678 claims · $11.6M
Norfolk is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: the county.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norfolk
Disasters that paid out in Norfolk itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Norfolk), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene15 households applied for aid$1K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew665 households applied for aid$688K aid approved$3.4M to the City of Norfolk for repairs237 flood claims paid for it, $4.9M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$2.5M to the City of Norfolk for repairs678 flood claims paid for it, $11.6M
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'east$2.3M to the City of Norfolk for repairs1,325 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel5,334 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$18.7M to the City of Norfolk for repairs1,108 flood claims paid for it, $16.1M
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$667K to the City of Norfolk for repairs196 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
has had 14 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 Norfolk after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norfolk archive →Norfolk and its neighbors
Norfolk is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | A+less damage than 96% | hurricanes | 4,719 |
| Hampton | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 4,715 |
| Norfolk | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4,748 |
| Portsmouth | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1,333 |
| Chesapeake | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2,003 |
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 Norfolk 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Norfolk residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Norfolk
Is Norfolk at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norfolk has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #135 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norfolk flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4,748 claims in Norfolk since 1978, $68.7M in all, or 45.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 980 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from November 2009 Nor'easter (1,267).
Is Norfolk 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, 14.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Norfolk?
Norfolk is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Norfolk?
By FEMA money that reached Norfolk, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 5,334 households applied for aid, $3.5M approved, and $18.7M to the City of Norfolk for repairs. By flood claims, November 2009 Nor'easter: 1,267 paid, $23.1M.
Is Norfolk at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Norfolk’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norfolk.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norfolk’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.