Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Wells Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wells Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1990.
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 Wells Township 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 Wells Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wells Township, and Wells Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wells Township’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Wells Township: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wells Township flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wells Township, from FEMA’s records: 20.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan7 claims · $64K
Wells Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wells Township
Disasters that paid out in Wells Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Wells Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$83K to Wells Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$333K to Wells Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$110K to Wells Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$116K to Wells Township for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds$36K to Wells Township for repairs
Jefferson County has had 19 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 Wells Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wells Township archive →Wells Township and its neighbors
Wells Township is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Creek Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Smithfield Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 146 |
| Steubenville Township | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Warren Township | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Wells Township | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Wellsburg | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 344 |
| New Alexandria | — | 318 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Beech Bottom | — | 443 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 Wells Township 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 Wells Township
Is Wells Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wells Township has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wells Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Wells Township since 1990, $211K in all, or 20.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (7).
Is Wells Township 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 Jefferson County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wells Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wells Township’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 Wells Township?
By FEMA money that reached Wells Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $333K to Wells Township for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 7 paid, $64K.
Is Wells Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Wells Township’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wells Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wells Township’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.