Photo: self · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in West Point than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Point gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #235 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then coastal flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 73 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 West Point’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Point 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
Coastal flooding
Hurricanes
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 West Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Point, and West Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 14%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #235 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Point’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Virginia town has lower expected damage than 81% of U.S. towns; within the state, West Point has more expected damage per building than 93% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across West Point: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Point flood? Sometimes: 73 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Point, from FEMA’s records: 48.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel44 claims · $2.0M
- Tropical Storm Ernesto8 claims · $123K
- Hurricane Fran5 claims · $25K
West Point isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: King William County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Point
Disasters that paid out in West Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene$51K to the Town of West Point for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes Associated W Td Gaston1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel235 households applied for aid$279K aid approved$110K to the Town of West Point for repairs44 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$2K to the Town of West Point for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 20 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 West Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Point archive →Get ready for what West Point 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 West Point
Is West Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Point has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #235 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and coastal flooding (14%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 73 claims in West Point since 1978, $2.3M in all, or 48.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (44).
Is West Point 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 King William County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Point’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 West Point?
By FEMA money that reached West Point, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 235 households applied for aid, $279K approved, and $110K to the Town of West Point for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 44 paid, $2.0M.
Is West Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and West Point’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Point’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.