Photo: Skye Marthaler · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Wise than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wise gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #42 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 Wise’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wise 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
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 Wise’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wise, and Wise’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 7% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
A #42 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wise’s residents live in 2 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, Wise has less expected damage per building than 84% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $704K a year in losses across Wise: $419K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wise flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wise, from FEMA’s records: 24.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $28K
Wise isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wise County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wise
Disasters that paid out in Wise itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wise), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene58 households applied for aid$101K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $28K
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$56K to the Town of Wise for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide23 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$28K to the Town of Wise for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Wise County has had 16 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 Wise after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wise archive →Wise and its neighbors
Wise has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | — | 489 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Wise 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.
- 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 Wise
Is Wise at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wise has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #42 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and earthquakes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wise flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Wise since 1978, $464K in all, or 24.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1).
Is Wise 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 Wise County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wise?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wise’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 Wise?
By FEMA money that reached Wise, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 58 households applied for aid, $101K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1 paid, $28K.
Is Wise at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Wise’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wise.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wise’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.