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Augusta County, Virginia

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Relatively Low overall risk
15th of 133highest risk in Virginia
$25Mexpected losses a year
22federal declarations
1 in 200homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

Augusta County, Virginia has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 69% of US counties. It ranks 15th of 133 counties in Virginia. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, hurricanes and strong wind. FEMA estimates about $25 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $326 per resident. Since 1969 it has been included in 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (15 major disasters). The most recent was in January 2026 (severe winter storm). Fewer than 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (191 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $3.0 million on 183 claims here, including $1.8 million for floods in 1996.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in Augusta County

$18 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 3 times a year.
  • Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
  • Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
$1.6 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 20 years.
  • Know your evacuation zone and route before June 1.
  • Ask about roof age, shutters and the separate wind or hurricane deductible on your home policy.

Strong wind

Moderate
$1.1 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 3 times a year.
  • Secure outdoor furniture and trash bins before storms.
  • Have trees near the house checked.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
Inland floodingModerate80.2
$18M
HurricaneLow79.2
$2M
Strong windModerate78.2
$1M
HailModerate80.4
$812K
EarthquakeLow70.6
$754K
Cold waveLow40.5
$611K
TornadoLow34.1
$591K
DroughtModerate71.2
$516K
LightningModerate71.0
$471K
Heat waveLow52.8
$388K
WildfireLow72.0
$186K
Winter weatherModerate72.4
$131K
LandslideModerate90.1
$52K
Ice stormLow32.0
$33K
AvalancheVery Low65.9
$3K

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively moderate and community resilience is relatively high in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included Augusta County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Hurricane6
Flood5
Snowstorm4
Severe Storm4
Drought2
Winter Storm1

Most recent

Jan 23, 2026Severe Winter StormEmergency
Sep 11, 2018Hurricane FlorenceEmergency
Oct 29, 2012Hurricane SandyEmergency
Jul 27, 2012Severe Storms and Straight-Line WindsMajor disaster
Apr 27, 2010Severe Winter Storms and SnowstormsMajor disaster
Feb 16, 2010Severe Winter Storm and SnowstormMajor disaster
Sep 12, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergency
Sep 18, 2003Hurricane IsabelMajor disaster
Feb 28, 2000Severe Winter StormsMajor disaster
Sep 6, 1996Hurricane Fran and Associated Severe Storm CondMajor disaster
Show all 22
Jan 27, 1996Flooding, High Winds, and Wind Driven RainMajor disaster
Jan 13, 1996Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm)Major disaster
Jul 1, 1995Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Apr 11, 1994Severe Winter Ice StormMajor disaster
Mar 25, 1993Severe Winter StormEmergency
May 19, 1992Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Nov 9, 1985Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Jul 23, 1977DroughtEmergency
Oct 15, 1976DroughtEmergency
Oct 10, 1972Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 23, 1972Tropical Storm AgnesMajor disaster
Aug 23, 1969Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster

Virginia also had 6 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1952

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 560 storm reports in Augusta County since 1952, with 5 deaths and 23 injuries and about $18.5 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F2 tornado on May 4, 1990.

13tornadoes
68hail reports, largest 3 inches
307damaging thunderstorm winds
150floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
May 4, 1990F2–10 / 2
Apr 5, 1952F2–2 / 0
Nov 29, 1963F2–0 / 0
Apr 4, 1974F1–0 / 0
Jun 10, 1995F1Waynesboro0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
May 4, 1990Tornado–$3M
Sep 6, 1996Flash FloodCountywide$3M
Apr 4, 1974Tornado–$3M
Apr 16, 2011TornadoWilda$2M
Jun 10, 1995TornadoWaynesboro$2M
Sep 18, 2003Flash FloodCountywide$2M

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jul 28, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Hurricanes and tropical storms

Hurricane risk by county ›

Since 1878, 1 hurricane and 8 tropical storms have passed within 65 miles of the center of Augusta County, 4 of them since 1950. The strongest was an unnamed hurricane in 1893, with top winds near 80 mph about 52 miles away.

1hurricanes
0major hurricanes (Category 3+)
8tropical storms
2003most recent: Isabel

Strongest storms nearby

DateStormStrengthClosest
Oct 13, 1893UnnamedCategory 1, 80 mph52 mi
Sep 19, 2003IsabelTropical storm, 65 mph58 mi
Aug 29, 1893UnnamedTropical storm, 65 mph58 mi
Aug 29, 1949UnnamedTropical storm, 60 mph49 mi
Sep 13, 1878UnnamedTropical storm, 60 mph65 mi
Aug 18, 1955DianeTropical storm, 55 mph59 mi

Most recent storms

DateStormStrengthClosest
Sep 19, 2003IsabelTropical storm, 65 mph58 mi
Sep 5, 1979DavidTropical storm, 45 mph61 mi
Aug 18, 1955DianeTropical storm, 55 mph59 mi
Sep 1, 1952AbleTropical storm, 55 mph63 mi
Aug 29, 1949UnnamedTropical storm, 60 mph49 mi
Aug 4, 1915UnnamedTropical storm, 45 mph62 mi

Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center best-track records (HURDAT2), 1851 to 2025 for the Atlantic and 1949 to 2025 for the eastern Pacific. A storm counts if its track passed within 65 miles of the county's center while it was a tropical storm or hurricane. Strength is the storm's top sustained wind at that point, not the wind measured in the county. Older storms over the open sea were sometimes missed.

Flood insurance in Augusta County

Check your address flood zone ›
0.5%of homes have federal flood insurance (191 policies)
12.8%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$3 millionpaid on 183 flood claims since 1978
1996costliest year, with $1.8 million paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in Augusta County

$306,100median home value (Virginia $383,700, US $332,700)
1989median year homes were built (Virginia 1984, US 1980)
37%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
9%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 33,111 housing units.

Compare in Virginia

All 133 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Fairfax CountyHighInland flooding
Prince William CountyModerateInland flooding
Virginia Beach CityLowHurricane
Loudoun CountyLowInland flooding
Chesterfield CountyModerateInland flooding
Henrico CountyModerateInland flooding
Chesapeake CityLowInland flooding
Arlington CountyLowInland flooding

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Albemarle CountyLow23
Rockingham CountyLow19
Staunton CityVery Low12
Rockbridge CountyVery Low21
Waynesboro CityVery Low13
Nelson CountyVery Low26
Pendleton County, WVVery Low22
Bath CountyVery Low20

Common questions about Augusta County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Augusta County?

Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Augusta County, about $18 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Hurricane is second at $1.6 million.

How many federal disasters has Augusta County had?

Augusta County has been included in 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1969, including 15 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm in January 2026.

Is Augusta County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 15th highest of 133 in Virginia. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in Augusta County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 200 homes in Augusta County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has Augusta County had?

NOAA records list 13 tornadoes in Augusta County since 1950. The strongest was an F2 tornado on May 4, 1990. The weather service has also logged 68 hail reports and 150 floods here.

How many hurricanes have hit Augusta County?

NOAA's hurricane records show 1 hurricane and 8 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the center of Augusta County. The strongest was an unnamed hurricane in 1893, with winds near 80 mph.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.