Photo: Eduardo Montes-Bradley · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in South Boston than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Boston gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #69 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 33 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 stands out about South Boston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Boston 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
Earthquakes
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 South Boston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Boston, and South Boston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A #69 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Boston’s residents live in 5 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, South Boston has less expected damage per building than 73% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across South Boston: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Boston flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Boston, from FEMA’s records: 9.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Michael3 claims · $584K
- Hurricane Fran2 claims · $45K
- The November 2009 nor’easter1 claim · $3K
South Boston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: the county.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Boston
Disasters that paid out in South Boston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of South Boston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$25K to the Town of South Boston for repairs
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$62K to the Town of South Boston for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $584K
- 2018Hurricane Florence$10K to the Town of South Boston for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $28K
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'east$24K to the Town of South Boston for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel22 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$15K to the Town of South Boston for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide$53K to the Town of South Boston for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$15K to the Town of South Boston for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of South Boston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Boston archive →South Boston and its neighbors
South Boston has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Boston | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Riverdale | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 South Boston 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 South Boston
Is South Boston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Boston has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #69 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Boston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in South Boston since 1978, $1.7M in all, or 9.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Michael (3).
Is South Boston 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 the county, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Boston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Boston’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 South Boston?
By FEMA money that reached South Boston, Tropical Storm Michael (2018): $62K to the Town of South Boston for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Michael: 3 paid, $584K.
Is South Boston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and South Boston’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Boston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Boston’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.