Photo: Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Rose Hill than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rose Hill gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #70 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Rose Hill 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
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 Rose Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rose Hill, and Rose Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A #70 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rose Hill’s residents live in 7 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, Rose Hill has less expected damage per building than 73% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Rose Hill: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rose Hill flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rose Hill, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $88K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $675
Rose Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fairfax County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rose Hill
Disasters that paid out in Rose Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to Rose Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene10 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$633 aid approved
Fairfax County has had 16 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 Rose Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rose Hill archive →Rose Hill and its neighbors
Rose Hill is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingstowne | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Franconia | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Rose Hill | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Groveton | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Alexandria | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 298 |
| Huntington | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 194 |
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 Rose Hill 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.
- 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 Rose Hill
Is Rose Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rose Hill has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #70 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rose Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Rose Hill since 1978, $218K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (1).
Is Rose Hill 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 Fairfax County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rose Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rose Hill’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 Rose Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Rose Hill, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 10 households applied for aid, $37K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 1 paid, $88K.
Is Rose Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Rose Hill’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rose Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rose Hill’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.