Photo: Rutke421 23:17, 9 August 2008 (UTC) · Public domainFEMA puts Orange’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orange gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #154 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hurricanes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1995.
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 Orange 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 Orange’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orange, and Orange’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 15% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #154 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orange’s residents live in 2 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, Orange has more expected damage per building than 61% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Orange: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Orange flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orange, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Orange isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Orange
Disasters that paid out in Orange itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Orange), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Earthquake130 households applied for aid$204K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of Orange for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel16 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$31K to the Town of Orange for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide$11K to the Town of Orange for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$5K to the Town of Orange for repairs
Orange County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Orange after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orange archive →Get ready for what Orange 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 Orange
Is Orange at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orange has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #154 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Orange flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Orange since 1995, $76K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Orange 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 Orange County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Orange?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Orange’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 Orange?
By FEMA money that reached Orange, Earthquake (2011): 130 households applied for aid, $204K approved.
Is Orange at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Orange’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orange.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orange’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.