Photo: Magnolia677 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Belle than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belle gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1996.
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 Belle 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 Belle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Belle, and Belle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Belle’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Belle: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Belle flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Belle, from FEMA’s records: 10.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Summer severe storms1 claim · $15K
Belle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kanawha County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Belle
Disasters that paid out in Belle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Belle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides20 households applied for aid$75K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides41 households applied for aid$315K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides25 households applied for aid$38K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds24 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides5 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides42 households applied for aid$168K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$900 aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides4 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
Kanawha County has had 26 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Kanawha County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Belle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Belle archive →Belle and its neighbors
Belle has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belle | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Chesapeake | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Belle 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 Belle
Is Belle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belle has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Belle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Belle since 1996, $103K in all, or 10.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Summer severe storms (1).
Is Belle 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 Kanawha County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Belle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Belle’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 Belle?
By FEMA money that reached Belle, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 41 households applied for aid, $315K approved. By flood claims, Summer severe storms: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Belle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Belle’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Belle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Belle’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.