Photo: MarkMcCain · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Bluefield’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bluefield gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #10 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 19 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 stands out about Bluefield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bluefield 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
Earthquakes
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 Bluefield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bluefield, and Bluefield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #10 of 61 in West Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bluefield’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical West Virginia town has higher expected damage than 73% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bluefield has less expected damage per building than 85% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Bluefield: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bluefield flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bluefield, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $414
Bluefield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mercer County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bluefield
Disasters that paid out in Bluefield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bluefield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides187 households applied for aid$853K aid approved
- 2024Post-tropical Storm Helene743 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds58 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides136 households applied for aid$281K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the City of Bluefield for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides33 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
Show all 11
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides540 households applied for aid$524K aid approved$40K to the City of Bluefield for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides207 households applied for aid$388K aid approved$14K to the City of Bluefield for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides68 households applied for aid$73K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides$8K to the City of Bluefield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides$52K to the City of Bluefield for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Mercer County has had 22 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 Mercer County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Bluefield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bluefield archive →Bluefield and its neighbors
Bluefield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluefield | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Bluefield | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
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 Bluefield 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Bluefield
Is Bluefield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bluefield has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #10 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bluefield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Bluefield since 1979, $130K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Bluefield 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 Mercer County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bluefield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bluefield’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 Bluefield?
By FEMA money that reached Bluefield, Post-tropical Storm Helene (2024): 743 households applied for aid, $2.6M approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $414.
Is Bluefield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Bluefield’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bluefield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bluefield’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.