Photo: Warfieldian · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Vinton than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vinton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #78 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 67 claims here since 1978.
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 Vinton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Vinton 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 Vinton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vinton, and Vinton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
A #78 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vinton’s residents live in 3 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, Vinton has less expected damage per building than 69% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Vinton: $984K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vinton flood? Sometimes: 67 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vinton, from FEMA’s records: 17.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran5 claims · $31K
- Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $56K
Vinton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Roanoke County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vinton
Disasters that paid out in Vinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Vinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Town of Vinton for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding From the Remanants of Hurricane Jeanne7 households applied for aid$19K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide3 households applied for aid$10K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$10K to the Town of Vinton for repairs
Roanoke County has had 20 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 Vinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vinton archive →Vinton and its neighbors
Vinton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinton | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Roanoke | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 929 |
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 Vinton 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.
- Vinton 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 Vinton
Is Vinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vinton has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #78 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 67 claims in Vinton since 1978, $1.3M in all, or 17.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (5).
Is Vinton 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 Roanoke County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vinton?
Vinton 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 Vinton?
By FEMA money that reached Vinton, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2009): $29K to the Town of Vinton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 5 paid, $31K.
Is Vinton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Vinton’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vinton’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.