Hollow, The · Photo: Jwalk1230 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Shenandoah Farms faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shenandoah Farms gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #240 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2003.
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 Shenandoah Farms 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 Shenandoah Farms’ grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shenandoah Farms, and Shenandoah Farms’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C #240 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shenandoah Farms’ 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, Shenandoah Farms has more expected damage per building than 95% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Shenandoah Farms: $820K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shenandoah Farms flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shenandoah Farms, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $15K
Shenandoah Farms isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.The storms Shenandoah Farms remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for Warren County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Shenandoah Farms itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20031 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Isabel, declared for Warren County
- 20181 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Florence, declared for Warren County
Warren County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Warren County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Shenandoah Farms after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shenandoah Farms archive →Get ready for what Shenandoah Farms 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 Shenandoah Farms
Is Shenandoah Farms at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shenandoah Farms has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #240 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shenandoah Farms flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Shenandoah Farms since 2003, $54K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1).
Is Shenandoah Farms 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 Warren County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shenandoah Farms?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shenandoah Farms’ 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 Shenandoah Farms?
By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Shenandoah Farms at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Shenandoah Farms’ rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shenandoah Farms.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shenandoah Farms’ 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.