Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Strasburg than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Strasburg gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #192 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (12%). 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 stands out about Strasburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Strasburg 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
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 Strasburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Strasburg, and Strasburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #192 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Strasburg’s residents live in 2 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, Strasburg has more expected damage per building than 76% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Strasburg: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Strasburg flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Strasburg. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Strasburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shenandoah County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Strasburg
Disasters that paid out in Strasburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Strasburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$77K to the Town of Strasburg for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel2 households applied for aid$398 aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide$10K to the Town of Strasburg for repairs
Shenandoah County has had 19 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Shenandoah County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Strasburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Strasburg archive →Get ready for what Strasburg 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.
- 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 Strasburg
Is Strasburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Strasburg has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #192 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Strasburg 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 Shenandoah County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Strasburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Strasburg’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 Strasburg?
By FEMA money that reached Strasburg, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $77K to the Town of Strasburg for repairs.
Is Strasburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Strasburg’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Strasburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Strasburg’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.