Henry Saunders House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Windsor’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Windsor gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #158 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (34%). 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 Windsor 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
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 Windsor’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Windsor, and Windsor’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 34% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #158 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Windsor’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, Windsor has more expected damage per building than 62% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Windsor: $773K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Windsor flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Windsor. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Windsor isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Isle of Wight County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Windsor
Disasters that paid out in Windsor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Windsor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene$15K to the Town of Windsor for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel338 households applied for aid$179K aid approved$44K to the Town of Windsor for repairs
Isle of Wight County has had 15 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 Windsor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Windsor archive →Get ready for what Windsor 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.
- 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 Windsor
Is Windsor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Windsor has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #158 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (34%). 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.
Is Windsor 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 Isle of Wight County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Windsor?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Windsor’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 Windsor?
By FEMA money that reached Windsor, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 338 households applied for aid, $179K approved, and $44K to the Town of Windsor for repairs.
Is Windsor at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Windsor’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Windsor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Windsor’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.