Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Sophia 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, Sophia gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1980.
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 Sophia 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 Sophia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sophia, and Sophia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sophia’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $273K a year in losses across Sophia: $231K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sophia flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sophia, from FEMA’s records: 17.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sophia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Raleigh County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sophia
Disasters that paid out in Sophia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sophia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$13K to the Town of Sophia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds16 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$8K to the Town of Sophia for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides10 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Town of Sophia for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides54 households applied for aid$102K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides18 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides18 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides$7K to the Town of Sophia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Raleigh County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Raleigh County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Sophia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sophia archive →Sophia and its neighbors
Sophia is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crab Orchard | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sophia | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Sophia 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 Sophia
Is Sophia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sophia has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sophia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Sophia since 1980, $50K in all, or 17.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Sophia 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 Raleigh County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sophia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sophia’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 Sophia?
By FEMA money that reached Sophia, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2004): 54 households applied for aid, $102K approved.
Is Sophia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Sophia’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sophia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sophia’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.