Risk Before Buy
ZIP Code Risk Report · VA

23505 Hurricane Risk & Insurance Guide (2026)

23505 in Norfolk, VA: hurricane and extreme heat risk, est. insurance $2,375–$4,331/yr, and buyer guidance before you close.

Norfolk, Virginia 23505, United States

Data retrieved: Jul 30, 2026 at 20:49 UTC

Overall Risk

Top 10% most at-risk nationally

County-level composite

Est. Annual Insurance

$2,375$4,331

Directional range

Premium Strain

3.84% of median income

elevated

Flood Insurance

Likely required

FEMA NFHL flagged SFHA

Quick buyer brief

What makes 23505 different

A short, indexable summary for buyers comparing 23505 with nearby options in Norfolk.

23505 ranks top 10% most at-risk nationally for overall climate risk, with the biggest current drivers being hurricane or extreme-heat.

Buyers in this ZIP should budget roughly $2,375 - $4,331/yr for homeowners insurance before carrier-specific adjustments. FEMA data suggests some addresses may require flood insurance.

If you are choosing between nearby ZIP codes, compare this page with the city overview and the nearby-ZIP links below before you write an offer.

Insurance Market Context

These scores are county-level composites derived from FEMA National Risk Index. Individual parcels may differ significantly. This is not a property appraisal.

Market Pressure

MODERATE

Virginia's admitted-carrier market is showing mild contraction. A broker with state-specific experience helps.

Admitted Market Share

80%

Carriers exiting at 2.5% YoY in Virginia.

Residual Market

$1,700–$3,400

annual · last-resort
FAIR Plan / Citizens exposure up 12% since 2020.

Premium Strain Index

Insurance is roughly 3.8% of median household income — above the 2% middle-income affordability benchmark.

Premium-to-income ratio. Based on state Department of Insurance filings, average annual premiums in this area range from $2,375 to $4,331. Not an insurance quote. The First Street 12th National Risk Assessment characterizes any ZIP above 5% as financially unsustainable.

Not an insurance quote. These figures are derived from public state Department of Insurance filings and are intended to surface market pressure signals. Actual premiums depend on parcel-specific underwriting factors and carrier availability. Consult a licensed insurance broker for a binding quote.

Norfolk city Hazard Breakdown

Scores below are from the federal National Risk Index at the county level, refined with parcel-level signals where available (FEMA NFHL for flood, USDA WHP for wildfire, USGS PGA for earthquake, NWS for heat).

Top 10% most at-risk nationally

Hurricane

Extreme

Bottom 20% nationally (safer than most)

Earthquake

Minimal

Top 15% most at-risk nationally

Extreme Heat

Extreme

Top 18% most at-risk nationally

Flood

Extreme

Below the national median (safer than most)

Wildfire

Low

Above the national median (top 26% most at-risk)

Severe Storm / Tornado

High
Hazard
Risk Level
Score · Source
Hurricane
Top 10% most at-risk nationally· FEMA
Earthquake
Bottom 20% nationally (safer than most)· USGS
Extreme Heat
Top 15% most at-risk nationally· NOAA
Flood
Top 18% most at-risk nationally· FEMA
Wildfire
Below the national median (safer than most)· USDA
Severe Storm / Tornado
Above the national median (top 26% most at-risk)· FEMA

Local Flood Risk Cost Estimator

Flood insurance costs in Norfolk, VA

In Norfolk, VA, the directional annual NFIP flood insurance premium is approximately $2,077 (range $1,500–$3,500), and the estimated average historical flood claim in Norfolk is $70,304. Typical mapped exposure aligns with Zone A / AE (SFHA) (county flood percentile: 82).

NFIP premium (mid)
$2,077/yr
Monthly escrow slice
$125–$292/mo
Avg. paid claim
$70,304
Lender may require
Likely yes (SFHA)

Hurricane Windstorm Deductible Estimator

Named windstorm deductible exposure in Norfolk, VA

In Norfolk, VA, a 1.93% hurricane / windstorm deductible on a $450,000 insured dwelling implies roughly $8,685 out-of-pocket before the carrier pays (hurricane percentile: 93).

Deductible %
1.93%
Out-of-pocket
$8,685
Emergency fund target
$13,028

Heat & HVAC Holding-Cost Estimator

Extreme heat carrying costs in Norfolk, VA

In Norfolk, VA, directional summer utility strain adds roughly $367/yr above a moderate-climate baseline (heat percentile: 88). Over 10 years, modeled hidden heat + HVAC costs land near $13,270 — about $1,327/yr to budget for cooling and accelerated equipment wear.

Est. monthly electric
$183/mo
Annual heat tax
$367/yr
10-yr hidden cost
$13,270

What each hazard means for you

Expand any card to see the federal source citation and the buyer-specific action items our research team recommends for this hazard profile.

Hurricane Risk

Top 10% most at-risk nationallyExtreme

NRI hurricane risk: Top 10% most at-risk nationally for hurricane exposure (county-level, based on historical storm tracks and wind-speed exceedance).

FEMA · National Risk Index (HRCN)

Earthquake Risk

Bottom 20% nationally (safer than most)Minimal

Bottom 20% nationally (safer than most) for earthquake exposure. USGS PGA: 0.042g (site class D). Geologically stable region; earthquake is not a meaningful property risk here.

USGS · Design Maps (ASCE 7-16) + NRI

Extreme Heat

Top 15% most at-risk nationallyExtreme

Long-term heat risk: Top 15% most at-risk nationally (NRI county baseline). This reflects multi-decadal extreme-heat exposure, not the current week's weather.

NOAA · National Risk Index (HWAV)

Flood Risk

Top 18% most at-risk nationallyExtreme

County NRI flood risk: Top 18% most at-risk nationally for flood exposure. NFHL parcel query unavailable.

FEMA · National Risk Index

Wildfire Risk

Below the national median (safer than most)Low

Blended wildfire risk: Below the national median (safer than most). USDA Wildfire Hazard Potential at parcel: Very Low (Class 1/5). County NRI wildfire risk: Below the national median (safer than most). The parcel-level USDA score moderates the county NRI signal.

USDA · WHP + National Risk Index

Severe Storm / Tornado

Above the national median (top 26% most at-risk)High

NRI severe-storm risk: Above the national median (top 26% most at-risk) for severe-thunderstorm, hail, straight-line wind, and tornado exposure (county-level).

FEMA · National Risk Index (TRND)

Lower-risk alternatives nearby

Communities within 25 miles of Norfolk with a measurably lower composite climate risk. Useful as a comp set when evaluating whether to negotiate on this address or pivot to a nearby one.

Newport News, VA

Above the national median (top 28% most at-risk)

10 miles away

Chesapeake, VA

Top 19% most at-risk nationally

14 miles away

Virginia Beach, VA

Around the national median

17 miles away

FEMA Flood Zone

Is this specific parcel in a Special Flood Hazard Area?

The free address snapshot queries FEMA NFHL point-in-polygon and returns your exact FEMA Flood Zone (A, AE, X, etc.) in seconds.

Run a free address lookup

Carrier Outlook

Virginia's admitted-carrier market is showing mild contraction. A broker with state-specific experience helps.

Data Sources

FEMA NRINOAAUSGSUSDAEPA
Data Sources & Methodology

FEMANational Risk Index

Retrieved July 30, 2026

View source

FEMANational Risk Index (HRCN)

Retrieved July 30, 2026

View source

USDAWHP + National Risk Index

Retrieved July 30, 2026

View source

USGSDesign Maps (ASCE 7-16) + NRI

Retrieved July 30, 2026

View source

NOAANational Risk Index (HWAV)

Retrieved July 30, 2026

View source

FEMANational Risk Index (TRND)

Retrieved July 30, 2026

View source
View full methodology

What buyers should know

Buying in 23505: a risk primer

Before you write an offer on a home in Norfolk, understand how climate and insurance costs affect long-term ownership in 23505.

23505 in Norfolk, Virginia, scores top 10% most at-risk nationally on our composite climate-risk index. That ranking reflects the combined influence of hurricane wind exposure (93), extreme heat exposure (88), and flood risk (82) in this ZIP code. Before writing an offer, buyers should understand which hazard drives the score and how it shows up in insurance premiums and long-term maintenance costs.

The data below is assembled from five federal sources — FEMA (flood and National Risk Index), NOAA (storm history and heat), USGS (seismic design), and USDA (wildfire hazard potential) — and is refreshed quarterly. Use it as a starting point for due diligence, not a substitute for a licensed inspector, structural engineer, or insurance agent.

Hurricane risk in 23505

The hurricane wind exposure score for 23505 is 93 (extreme), which is well above the national median. 23505 is in a high hurricane wind zone. Standard homeowners policies in Virginia often have separate hurricane/wind deductibles (frequently 2–10% of dwelling coverage). Buyers should model a named-storm deductible on top of the base premium before finalizing a budget.

For a specific address inside 23505, this score can shift meaningfully. A home on a ridge may have lower flood exposure than one in a valley; a parcel surrounded by irrigated lawn may have lower wildfire exposure than one against open space. The $19 Risk Before Buy report resolves these parcel-level differences and includes a 30-year projection for each hazard.

Heat risk in 23505

The extreme heat exposure score for 23505 is 88 (extreme), which is well above the national median. 23505 experiences severe extreme-heat exposure. This translates directly into higher cooling costs, accelerated roof and HVAC wear, and reduced outdoor usability for parts of the year. Buyers should budget for higher-efficiency cooling and check the age of the existing HVAC system.

For a specific address inside 23505, this score can shift meaningfully. A home on a ridge may have lower flood exposure than one in a valley; a parcel surrounded by irrigated lawn may have lower wildfire exposure than one against open space. The $19 Risk Before Buy report resolves these parcel-level differences and includes a 30-year projection for each hazard.

Flood risk in 23505

The flood risk score for 23505 is 82 (extreme), which is well above the national median. 23505 maps to a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area or near-SFHA zone in Norfolk. With FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 now pricing policies by parcel-level risk rather than just zone, buyers here should expect flood premiums to rise over the life of ownership. A LOMA (Letter of Map Amendment) may help if the finished floor is clearly above the BFE, but the process takes 60–90 days.

For a specific address inside 23505, this score can shift meaningfully. A home on a ridge may have lower flood exposure than one in a valley; a parcel surrounded by irrigated lawn may have lower wildfire exposure than one against open space. The $19 Risk Before Buy report resolves these parcel-level differences and includes a 30-year projection for each hazard.

Insurance is where climate risk becomes a monthly payment. In 23505, our directional estimate for a standard homeowners policy plus required hazard coverage is $2,375 – $4,331 per year. That estimate assumes a mid-range home and does not include optional coverages such as earthquake, flood (where not required), or higher wind deductibles.

Relative to local incomes, that premium range equals approximately 3.84% of the Norfolk city median household income — a elevated premium-to-income burden. As a rule of thumb, premiums above 3–4% of household income begin to compress affordability and can reduce the pool of future buyers when you eventually sell.

Buyer action items

  • Get carrier quotes early. Ask at least two admitted-market carriers and one surplus-line broker for a homeowners quote that explicitly includes hurricane wind exposure, extreme heat exposure, and flood risk. Do this before the inspection contingency expires.
  • Add a climate contingency to the purchase agreement. Our free Virginia-specific contract templates let you make the deal contingent on acceptable insurance premiums, flood-zone status, or seller-provided mitigation documentation.
  • Order hazard-specific inspections if the top risks warrant it. In 23505, that may mean a flood-zone determination, a wildfire/defensible-space assessment, a structural/seismic review, or a wind-mitigation inspection depending on which hazards score highest.

Frequently asked questions about 23505

Ready to underwrite 23505?

Get the full address-level report

Both tiers use verified federal data. The $19 snapshot is your pre-offer feasibility check (delivered within 5 minutes). The $99 audit adds parcel flood verification, market context, claim history, and a negotiation brief (within 24 hours).

Full Report

Tier L2

$19per address

Address-level hazard and insurance feasibility snapshot — five hazards, 30-year projections, carrier pressure signals, and a buy / negotiate / walk-away read for pre-offer buyers. PDF delivered within 5 minutes.

  • Five-hazard score breakdown: flood, wildfire, hurricane, earthquake, heat
  • 30-year federal climate projections for heat, wildfire, and sea level rise
  • Insurance premium estimate range based on state DOI filings
  • Clear buy / negotiate / walk-away recommendation with plain-language reasoning
  • Comparable lower-risk communities within 25 miles (up to 3 when available)
  • Plain-English explanations of SFHA, BFE, residual market, and other insurance terms
  • Single PDF you can share with your partner, agent, or inspector

Best for: pre-offer sanity check

Delivered: PDF by email within 5 minutes

Federal data: FEMA, USGS, NOAA, USDA, EPA

Delivered by email within 5 minutes of payment.

Most comprehensive

Pre-Purchase Audit

Tier L3

$99per property

Under-contract diligence package: parcel flood zone verification, state insurance market analysis, NOAA claim history, and an evidence-backed negotiation brief to assess earnest-money risk. PDF delivered within 24 hours.

  • Everything in the $19 Full Report
  • Parcel-level FEMA flood zone verification (Zone A/AE/VE/X — point-in-polygon)
  • State insurance market analysis: admitted carrier share, exit rate, residual market growth
  • Premium Strain Index — insurance cost as % of local median income, with 2% / 5% affordability benchmarks
  • 10-year NOAA Storm Events claim history for the ZIP code
  • Negotiation leverage brief with specific, evidence-backed seller-concession asks (typically 3–5; fewer when data is limited)
  • Total carrying cost estimate: HO-3 baseline + standalone perils + residual market fallback
  • Identifies whether the property may become hard to insure before you close
  • Gives you specific talking points for price, credits, and contingency negotiation

Best for: under-contract buyers

Delivered: PDF by email within 24 hours

Includes: 7-day no-questions-asked refund

Delivered by email within 24 hours of payment.

Nearby ZIP risk profiles in Norfolk

Compare climate and insurance risk across neighboring ZIP codes before you commit to a specific address in Norfolk.

Free contract templates for Virginia buyers

Download free climate-risk contingency addendums written for Virginia purchase agreements. Add hurricane, extreme-heat, or flood contingencies to your offer.

Browse free templates