Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Clarksburg faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarksburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #37 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 305 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 stands out about Clarksburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clarksburg 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 Clarksburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarksburg, and Clarksburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #37 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clarksburg’s residents live in 12 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, Clarksburg has more expected damage per building than 60% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Clarksburg: $7.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarksburg flood? Yes: 305 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clarksburg, from FEMA’s records: 37.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $3K
Clarksburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harrison County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarksburg
Disasters that paid out in Clarksburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clarksburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides27 households applied for aid$72K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$336K to the City of Clarksburg for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides13 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$21K to the City of Clarksburg for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and60 households applied for aid$158K aid approved$39K to the City of Clarksburg for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides28 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$17K to the City of Clarksburg for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides93 households applied for aid$133K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides25 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$23K to the City of Clarksburg for repairs
- 2000Flooding, Severe Storms, and Landslides$16K to the City of Clarksburg for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Harrison County has had 20 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.
Old photos of Clarksburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarksburg archive →Clarksburg and its neighbors
Clarksburg is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Nutter Fort | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Clarksburg | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 305 |
| Despard | — | 972 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Anmoore | — | 522 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| East View | — | 604 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Clarksburg 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 Clarksburg
Is Clarksburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarksburg has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #37 of 61 in West Virginia. 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 Clarksburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 305 claims in Clarksburg since 1978, $2.8M in all, or 37.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 43 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Clarksburg 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 Harrison County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clarksburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarksburg’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 Clarksburg?
By FEMA money that reached Clarksburg, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): $336K to the City of Clarksburg for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Clarksburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Clarksburg’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarksburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarksburg’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.