Photo: AviationFreak · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Tangier
Tangier isn’t graded for hazard risk: Tangier has 252 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 90 claims here since 1985.
What Tangier 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 Tangier flood? Sometimes: 90 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tangier, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Ernesto21 claims · $304K
- Hurricane Isabel21 claims · $302K
- Hurricane Floyd12 claims · $168K
Tangier 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tangier
Disasters that paid out in Tangier itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Tangier), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$23K to the Town of Tangier for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $120K
- 2006Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Town of Tangier for repairs21 flood claims paid for it, $304K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel92 households applied for aid$240K aid approved$145K to the Town of Tangier for repairs21 flood claims paid for it, $302K
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 Tangier after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tangier archive →Get ready for what Tangier 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 Tangier
Does Tangier flood?
Flood insurance has paid 90 claims in Tangier since 1985, $1.4M in all. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ernesto (21).
Is Tangier 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 Tangier?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tangier’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 Tangier?
By FEMA money that reached Tangier, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 92 households applied for aid, $240K approved, and $145K to the Town of Tangier for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ernesto: 21 paid, $304K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tangier.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tangier’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.