Photo: Corvokarasu at English Wikipedia · Public domainSmithfield’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithfield gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #188 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 29 claims here since 1982.
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 stands out about Smithfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Smithfield 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
Coastal 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 Smithfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Smithfield, and Smithfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 11%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #188 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Smithfield’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, Smithfield has more expected damage per building than 74% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Smithfield: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Smithfield flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Smithfield, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The November 2009 nor’easter6 claims · $154K
- Hurricane Isabel4 claims · $66K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $850
Smithfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Isle of Wight County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Smithfield
Disasters that paid out in Smithfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Smithfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$145K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$69K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $335
- 2006Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel827 households applied for aid$478K aid approved$299K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $66K
Isle of Wight 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 Smithfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Smithfield archive →Smithfield and its neighbors
Smithfield is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benns Church | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Smithfield | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
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 Smithfield 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.
- 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.
- 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 Smithfield
Is Smithfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithfield has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #188 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Smithfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Smithfield since 1982, $608K in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from November 2009 Nor'easter (6).
Is Smithfield 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 Isle of Wight County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Smithfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Smithfield’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 Smithfield?
By FEMA money that reached Smithfield, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 827 households applied for aid, $478K approved, and $299K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs. By flood claims, November 2009 Nor'easter: 6 paid, $154K.
Is Smithfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Smithfield’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Smithfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Smithfield’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.