Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Wintersville, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wintersville gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #5 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2004.
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 Wintersville 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
Hail
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 Wintersville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wintersville, and Wintersville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #5 of 993 in Ohio; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wintersville’s residents live in 3 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, Wintersville has less expected damage per building than 100% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $466K a year in losses across Wintersville: $350K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wintersville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wintersville, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $4K
Wintersville 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 Wintersville
Disasters that paid out in Wintersville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Wintersville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Village of Wintersville for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$924 aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Wintersville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wintersville archive →Wintersville and its neighbors
Wintersville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wintersville | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Steubenville | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Cross Creek Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Island Creek Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Wintersville 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Wintersville
Is Wintersville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wintersville has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #5 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wintersville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Wintersville since 2004, $9K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Wintersville 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 Wintersville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wintersville’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 Wintersville?
By FEMA money that reached Wintersville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 17 households applied for aid, $32K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Wintersville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Wintersville’s rate for it is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wintersville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wintersville’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.