Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5Storms, floods and disasters in Clendenin
Clendenin isn’t graded for hazard risk: Clendenin has 903 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 104 claims here since 1978.
What Clendenin 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 Clendenin flood? Yes: 104 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clendenin, from FEMA’s records.
- The Summer severe storms58 claims · $6.0M
Clendenin 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 Clendenin
Disasters that paid out in Clendenin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clendenin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$61K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1,081 households applied for aid$7.8M aid approved$1.2M to the Town of Clendenin for repairs60 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds49 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$13K to the Town of Clendenin for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and6 households applied for aid$271 aid approved
Show all 10
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides10 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides52 households applied for aid$211K aid approved$11K to the Town of Clendenin for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides9 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides18 households applied for aid$68K 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 Clendenin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clendenin archive →Get ready for what Clendenin 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 Clendenin
Does Clendenin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 104 claims in Clendenin since 1978, $6.6M in all. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Summer severe storms (58).
Is Clendenin 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 Clendenin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clendenin’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 Clendenin?
By FEMA money that reached Clendenin, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2016): 1,081 households applied for aid, $7.8M approved, and $1.2M to the Town of Clendenin for repairs. By flood claims, Summer severe storms: 58 paid, $6.0M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clendenin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clendenin’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.