Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Clintwood than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clintwood gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then wildfire (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 Clintwood 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
Wildfire
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 Clintwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clintwood, and Clintwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 18%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clintwood’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $463K a year in losses across Clintwood: $340K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clintwood flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Clintwood. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Clintwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dickenson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clintwood
Disasters that paid out in Clintwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clintwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Town of Clintwood for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide18 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
Dickenson County has had 17 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Dickenson County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Clintwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clintwood archive →Get ready for what Clintwood 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Clintwood
Is Clintwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clintwood has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and wildfire (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Clintwood 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 Dickenson County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clintwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clintwood’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 Clintwood?
By FEMA money that reached Clintwood, Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide (2003): 18 households applied for aid, $35K approved.
Is Clintwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Clintwood’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clintwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clintwood’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.