Photo: Ron Cogswell · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Williamsburg faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williamsburg gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #46 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1979.
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 Williamsburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Williamsburg 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
Tornadoes
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 Williamsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Williamsburg, and Williamsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 25% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A #46 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Williamsburg’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, Williamsburg has less expected damage per building than 82% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Williamsburg: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Williamsburg flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Williamsburg, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel2 claims · $18K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $13K
Williamsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: the county.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Williamsburg
Disasters that paid out in Williamsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Williamsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene$222K to the City of Williamsburg for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel1,930 households applied for aid$729K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Williamsburg for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $18K
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$15K to the City of Williamsburg for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$55K to the City of Williamsburg for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $13K
has had 11 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 Williamsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Williamsburg archive →Get ready for what Williamsburg 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Williamsburg
Is Williamsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williamsburg has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #46 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Williamsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Williamsburg since 1979, $119K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (2).
Is Williamsburg 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 the county, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Williamsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Williamsburg’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 Williamsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Williamsburg, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 1,930 households applied for aid, $729K approved, and $1.1M to the City of Williamsburg for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 2 paid, $18K.
Is Williamsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Williamsburg’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Williamsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Williamsburg’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.