Photo: JodyMBrumage · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Onancock’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 90% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Onancock gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (42%), then coastal flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2012.
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 Onancock’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Onancock faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
River and rain 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 Onancock’s grade
Hurricanes are 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Onancock, and Onancock’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 40%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Onancock’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Onancock: $964K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Onancock flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Onancock, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $6K
Onancock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Accomack County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Onancock
Disasters that paid out in Onancock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Onancock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$7K to the Town of Onancock for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2006Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Town of Onancock for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel17 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$5K to the Town of Onancock for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$18K to the Town of Onancock for repairs
Accomack County has had 15 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 Onancock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Onancock archive →Get ready for what Onancock faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Onancock
Is Onancock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Onancock has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (42%) and coastal flooding (40%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Onancock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Onancock since 2012, $14K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Onancock 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 Accomack County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 13.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Onancock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Onancock’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 Onancock?
By FEMA money that reached Onancock, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 17 households applied for aid, $20K approved, and $5K to the Town of Onancock for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Onancock at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Onancock’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Onancock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Onancock’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.