Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, South Charleston faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Charleston gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (13%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 South Charleston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Charleston 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 South Charleston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Charleston, and South Charleston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Charleston’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $468K a year in losses across South Charleston: $387K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Charleston flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in South Charleston. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
South Charleston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clark County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Charleston
Disasters that paid out in South Charleston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of South Charleston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$4K to the Village of South Charleston for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$24K to the Village of South Charleston for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Snow$4K to the Village of South Charleston for repairs
Clark County has had 7 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of South Charleston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Charleston archive →Get ready for what South Charleston 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 South Charleston
Is South Charleston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Charleston has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (13%). 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.
Is South Charleston 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 Clark County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Charleston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Charleston’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 South Charleston?
By FEMA money that reached South Charleston, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $24K to the Village of South Charleston for repairs.
Is South Charleston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and South Charleston’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Charleston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Charleston’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.