Photo: Magnolia677 · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Bradshaw
Bradshaw isn’t graded for hazard risk: Bradshaw has 327 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2009.
What Bradshaw 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.
Does Bradshaw flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bradshaw, from FEMA’s records.
- The February West Virginia Flooding1 claim · $23K
Bradshaw isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McDowell County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bradshaw
Disasters that paid out in Bradshaw itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bradshaw), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides84 households applied for aid$872K aid approved$179K to the Town of Bradshaw for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$3K to the Town of Bradshaw for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Bradshaw for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides15 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides11 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides11 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides23 households applied for aid$66K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides$275K to the Town of Bradshaw for repairs
McDowell County has had 22 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 McDowell County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Bradshaw after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bradshaw archive →Get ready for what Bradshaw 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 Bradshaw
Does Bradshaw flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Bradshaw since 2009, $23K in all. The most claims came from February West Virginia Flooding (1).
Is Bradshaw 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 McDowell County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bradshaw?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bradshaw’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 Bradshaw?
By FEMA money that reached Bradshaw, Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 84 households applied for aid, $872K approved, and $179K to the Town of Bradshaw for repairs. By flood claims, February West Virginia Flooding: 1 paid, $23K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bradshaw.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bradshaw’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.