Photo: DwayneP at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Radford than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Radford gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #67 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1985.
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 Radford 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
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 Radford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Radford, and Radford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 9% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A #67 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Radford’s residents live in 4 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, Radford has less expected damage per building than 74% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Radford: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Radford flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Radford, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene3 claims · $461K
Radford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: the county.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Radford
Disasters that paid out in Radford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Radford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene79 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$158K to the City of Radford for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $461K
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$87K to the City of Radford for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the City of Radford for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Radford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Radford archive →Radford and its neighbors
Radford is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairlawn | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Radford | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Plum Creek | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Radford 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.
- 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 Radford
Is Radford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Radford has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #67 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and earthquakes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Radford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Radford since 1985, $482K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (3).
Is Radford 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, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Radford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Radford’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 Radford?
By FEMA money that reached Radford, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 79 households applied for aid, $22K approved, and $158K to the City of Radford for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 3 paid, $461K.
Is Radford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Radford’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Radford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Radford’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.