Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Coeburn than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coeburn gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1979.
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 Coeburn 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 Coeburn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Coeburn, and Coeburn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Coeburn’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $581K a year in losses across Coeburn: $425K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Coeburn flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Coeburn, from FEMA’s records: 29.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Coeburn 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Coeburn
Disasters that paid out in Coeburn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Coeburn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene81 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to the Town of Coeburn for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide29 households applied for aid$25K aid approved2 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 Coeburn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Coeburn archive →Get ready for what Coeburn 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 Coeburn
Is Coeburn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coeburn has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Coeburn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Coeburn since 1979, $453K in all, or 29.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Coeburn 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 Coeburn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Coeburn’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 Coeburn?
By FEMA money that reached Coeburn, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 81 households applied for aid, $51K approved.
Is Coeburn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Coeburn’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Coeburn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Coeburn’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.