Mt. Airy · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Verona’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Verona gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #156 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). 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 Verona 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
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 Verona’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Verona, and Verona’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #156 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Verona’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, Verona has more expected damage per building than 62% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Verona: $915K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Verona flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Verona. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Verona isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Augusta County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Verona
Disasters that paid out in Verona itself (aid to households or repair grants to Verona), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel16 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Augusta County has had 21 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.
Old photos of Verona after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Verona archive →Verona and its neighbors
Verona 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staunton | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Verona | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Verona 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.
- 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 Verona
Is Verona at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Verona has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #156 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Verona 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 Augusta County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Verona?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Verona’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 Verona?
By FEMA money that reached Verona, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 16 households applied for aid, $4K approved.
Is Verona at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Verona’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Verona.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Verona’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.