Photo: Youngamerican · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Ceredo than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ceredo gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1978.
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 Ceredo 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 Ceredo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ceredo, and Ceredo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ceredo’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $629K a year in losses across Ceredo: $471K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ceredo flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ceredo, from FEMA’s records: 16.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $21K
Ceredo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ceredo
Disasters that paid out in Ceredo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ceredo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Wayne County has had 28 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 Wayne County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Ceredo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ceredo archive →Ceredo and its neighbors
Ceredo is 4th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Kenova | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Huntington | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 258 |
| Ceredo | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Fayette Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| South Point | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
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 Ceredo 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 Ceredo
Is Ceredo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ceredo has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ceredo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Ceredo since 1978, $119K in all, or 16.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Ceredo 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 Wayne County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ceredo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ceredo’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 Ceredo?
By FEMA money that reached Ceredo, Severe Storms and Flooding (2021): 3 households applied for aid, $35K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $21K.
Is Ceredo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Ceredo’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ceredo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ceredo’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.