Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5More hazard damage per building is expected in McConnelsville than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McConnelsville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 22 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 stands out about McConnelsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What McConnelsville 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 McConnelsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in McConnelsville, and McConnelsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of McConnelsville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across McConnelsville: $892K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McConnelsville flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McConnelsville, from FEMA’s records: 23.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm2 claims · $58K
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $2K
McConnelsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morgan County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McConnelsville
Disasters that paid out in McConnelsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of McConnelsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$50K to the Village of McConnelsville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$5K to the Village of McConnelsville for repairs
Morgan County has had 14 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 McConnelsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McConnelsville archive →McConnelsville and its neighbors
McConnelsville is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malta Township | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| McConnelsville | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Morgan Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Malta | — | 649 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 McConnelsville 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 McConnelsville
Is McConnelsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McConnelsville has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McConnelsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in McConnelsville since 1980, $325K in all, or 23.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (2).
Is McConnelsville 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 Morgan County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McConnelsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McConnelsville’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 McConnelsville?
By FEMA money that reached McConnelsville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $7K approved, and $50K to the Village of McConnelsville for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 2 paid, $58K.
Is McConnelsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and McConnelsville’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McConnelsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McConnelsville’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.