Photo: Chrisfortier at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Poquoson faces more hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poquoson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #242 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then coastal flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 3,811 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 Poquoson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Poquoson 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
Coastal flooding
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 Poquoson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Poquoson, and Poquoson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 33%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #242 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Poquoson’s residents live in 3 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, Poquoson has more expected damage per building than 96% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Poquoson: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Poquoson flood? Yes: 3,811 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Poquoson, from FEMA’s records: 766.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1,921 claims · $50.2M
- The November 2009 nor’easter1,042 claims · $14.3M
- Hurricane Irene296 claims · $3.4M
Poquoson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: the county.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Poquoson
Disasters that paid out in Poquoson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Poquoson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene$183K to the City of Poquoson for repairs296 flood claims paid for it, $3.4M
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'east$247K to the City of Poquoson for repairs1,061 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding$87K to the City of Poquoson for repairs53 flood claims paid for it, $347K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel2,339 households applied for aid$5.3M aid approved$2.2M to the City of Poquoson for repairs1,921 flood claims paid for it, $50.2M
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 Poquoson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Poquoson archive →Poquoson and its neighbors
Poquoson is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 4,715 |
| Poquoson | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 3,811 |
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 Poquoson 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Poquoson residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Poquoson
Is Poquoson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poquoson has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #242 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and coastal flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Poquoson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,811 claims in Poquoson since 1978, $71.9M in all, or 766.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 899 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1,921).
Is Poquoson 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, 63.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Poquoson?
Poquoson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Poquoson?
By FEMA money that reached Poquoson, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 2,339 households applied for aid, $5.3M approved, and $2.2M to the City of Poquoson for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1,921 paid, $50.2M.
Is Poquoson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Poquoson’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Poquoson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Poquoson’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.