Photo: Justin A. Wilcox from Washington, D.C., United States · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Romney faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Romney gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 Romney’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Romney 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 Romney’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Romney, and Romney’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Romney’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $721K a year in losses across Romney: $594K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Romney flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Romney, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran4 claims · $85K
Romney isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hampshire County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Romney
Disasters that paid out in Romney itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Romney), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$176K to the City of Romney for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$23K to the City of Romney for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel$3K to the City of Romney for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$7K to the City of Romney for repairs
Hampshire 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 Romney after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Romney archive →Get ready for what Romney 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Romney
Is Romney at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Romney has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Romney flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Romney since 1996, $85K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (4).
Is Romney 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 Hampshire County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Romney?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Romney’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 Romney?
By FEMA money that reached Romney, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): $176K to the City of Romney for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 4 paid, $85K.
Is Romney at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Romney’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Romney.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Romney’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.