Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Timberville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Timberville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #244 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1985.
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 Timberville 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 Timberville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Timberville, and Timberville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #244 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Timberville’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, Timberville has more expected damage per building than 96% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Timberville: $853K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Timberville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Timberville, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Timberville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockingham County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Timberville
Disasters that paid out in Timberville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Timberville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$20K to the Town of Timberville for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Rockingham County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. 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 Rockingham County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Timberville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Timberville archive →Get ready for what Timberville 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 Timberville
Is Timberville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Timberville has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #244 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Timberville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Timberville since 1985, $65K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Timberville 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 Rockingham County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Timberville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Timberville’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 Timberville?
By FEMA money that reached Timberville, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $20K to the Town of Timberville for repairs.
Is Timberville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Timberville’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Timberville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Timberville’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.