Photo: RebelAt at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts Saltville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saltville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Saltville 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
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 Saltville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saltville, and Saltville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saltville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $971K a year in losses across Saltville: $559K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saltville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Saltville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Saltville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Smyth County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Saltville
Disasters that paid out in Saltville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Saltville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$27K to the Town of Saltville for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene132 households applied for aid$181K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$78K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$52K to the Town of Saltville for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to the Town of Saltville for repairs
Smyth County has had 18 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 Saltville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saltville archive →Saltville and its neighbors
Saltville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saltville | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Allison Gap | — | 526 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Saltville 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.
- 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 Saltville
Is Saltville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saltville has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Saltville 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 Smyth County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Saltville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saltville’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 Saltville?
By FEMA money that reached Saltville, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 132 households applied for aid, $181K approved.
Is Saltville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Saltville’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saltville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saltville’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.