Photo: Idawriter · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Vienna than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vienna gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #124 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 2001.
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 Vienna’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Vienna 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 Vienna’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vienna, and Vienna’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #124 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vienna’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, Vienna has less expected damage per building than 51% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Vienna: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vienna flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vienna, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $13K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $3K
Vienna is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Fairfax County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vienna
Disasters that paid out in Vienna itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Vienna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$124K to the Town of Vienna for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$94K to the Town of Vienna for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$89K to the Town of Vienna for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$3K to the Town of Vienna for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel30 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$143K to the Town of Vienna for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide$35K to the Town of Vienna for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$17K to the Town of Vienna for repairs
Fairfax County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Vienna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vienna archive →Vienna and its neighbors
Vienna is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tysons | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Oakton | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Dunn Loring | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Vienna | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Wolf Trap | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Vienna 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.
- Vienna residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Vienna
Is Vienna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vienna has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #124 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vienna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Vienna since 2001, $783K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Vienna 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 Fairfax County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vienna?
Vienna is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Vienna?
By FEMA money that reached Vienna, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 30 households applied for aid, $24K approved, and $143K to the Town of Vienna for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $13K.
Is Vienna at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Vienna’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vienna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vienna’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.