Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Martins Ferry than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Martins Ferry gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 22 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 Martins Ferry 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 Martins Ferry’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Martins Ferry, and Martins Ferry’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #993 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Martins Ferry’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Martins Ferry has more expected damage per building than 100% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Martins Ferry: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Martins Ferry flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Martins Ferry, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $147K
Martins Ferry isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Belmont County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Martins Ferry
Disasters that paid out in Martins Ferry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Martins Ferry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$27K to the City of Martins Ferry for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$23K to the City of Martins Ferry for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$6K to the City of Martins Ferry for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides20 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$74K to the City of Martins Ferry for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding209 households applied for aid$405K aid approved$219K to the City of Martins Ferry for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides17 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$12K to the City of Martins Ferry for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$16K to the City of Martins Ferry for repairs
Belmont County has had 18 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.
Old photos of Martins Ferry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Martins Ferry archive →Martins Ferry and its neighbors
Martins Ferry is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Pease Township | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 148 |
| Wheeling | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2,656 |
| Martins Ferry | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Yorkville | — | 908 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 Martins Ferry 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 Martins Ferry
Is Martins Ferry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Martins Ferry has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Martins Ferry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Martins Ferry since 1978, $962K in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (4).
Is Martins Ferry 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 Belmont County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Martins Ferry?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Martins Ferry’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 Martins Ferry?
By FEMA money that reached Martins Ferry, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 209 households applied for aid, $405K approved, and $219K to the City of Martins Ferry for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 4 paid, $147K.
Is Martins Ferry at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Martins Ferry’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Martins Ferry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Martins Ferry’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.