Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Big Sandy than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Sandy gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then tornadoes (18%). 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 Big Sandy 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
Ice storms
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 Big Sandy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Big Sandy, and Big Sandy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Big Sandy’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $626K a year in losses across Big Sandy: $353K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Big Sandy flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Big Sandy. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Big Sandy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Upshur County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Big Sandy
Disasters that paid out in Big Sandy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Big Sandy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms70 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2011Wildfires14 households applied for aid$193K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$3K to the Town of Big Sandy for repairs
Upshur County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Big Sandy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Big Sandy archive →Get ready for what Big Sandy 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Big Sandy
Is Big Sandy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Sandy has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Big Sandy 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 Upshur County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Big Sandy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Big Sandy’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 Big Sandy?
By FEMA money that reached Big Sandy, Wildfires (2011): 14 households applied for aid, $193K approved.
Is Big Sandy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Big Sandy’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Big Sandy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Big Sandy’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.