Storms, floods and disasters in Saxis
Saxis isn’t graded for hazard risk: Saxis has 218 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 32 claims here since 1992.
What Saxis faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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.
Does Saxis flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saxis, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Sandy16 claims · $447K
- Hurricane Floyd13 claims · $123K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $7K
Saxis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Accomack County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Saxis
Disasters that paid out in Saxis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Saxis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$30K to the Town of Saxis for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $447K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$6K to the Town of Saxis for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$20K to the Town of Saxis for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $123K
Accomack County has had 15 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 Saxis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saxis archive →Get ready for what Saxis faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Saxis
Does Saxis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Saxis since 1992, $596K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (16).
Is Saxis 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 Accomack County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 13.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Saxis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saxis’ 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 Saxis?
By FEMA money that reached Saxis, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $30K to the Town of Saxis for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 16 paid, $447K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saxis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saxis’ 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.