Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Appalachia than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Appalachia 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 (97%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Appalachia 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 Appalachia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Appalachia, and Appalachia’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).
All of Appalachia’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $826K a year in losses across Appalachia: $655K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Appalachia flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Appalachia, from FEMA’s records: 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Appalachia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wise County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Appalachia
Disasters that paid out in Appalachia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Appalachia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene18 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$7K to the Town of Appalachia for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Town of Appalachia for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide20 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$33K to the Town of Appalachia for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$89K to the Town of Appalachia for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Wise County has had 16 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 Appalachia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Appalachia archive →Get ready for what Appalachia 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 Appalachia
Is Appalachia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Appalachia 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 (97%). 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 Appalachia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Appalachia since 1980, $23K in all, or 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Appalachia 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 Wise County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Appalachia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Appalachia’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 Appalachia?
By FEMA money that reached Appalachia, Severe Storms and Flooding (2002): $89K to the Town of Appalachia for repairs.
Is Appalachia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Appalachia’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Appalachia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Appalachia’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.