FEMA puts Cross Lanes’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cross Lanes gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #36 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2009.
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 Cross Lanes 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 Cross Lanes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cross Lanes, and Cross Lanes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #36 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cross Lanes’ residents live in 3 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, Cross Lanes has more expected damage per building than 58% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Cross Lanes: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cross Lanes flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cross Lanes, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cross Lanes 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cross Lanes
Disasters that paid out in Cross Lanes itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cross Lanes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides67 households applied for aid$97K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds14 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides42 households applied for aid$77K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$699 aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides6 households applied for aid$13K 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 Cross Lanes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cross Lanes archive →Cross Lanes and its neighbors
Cross Lanes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Lanes | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Nitro | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
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 Cross Lanes 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 Cross Lanes
Is Cross Lanes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cross Lanes has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #36 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cross Lanes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Cross Lanes since 2009, $32K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cross Lanes 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 Cross Lanes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cross Lanes’ 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 Cross Lanes?
By FEMA money that reached Cross Lanes, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): 67 households applied for aid, $97K approved.
Is Cross Lanes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Cross Lanes’ rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cross Lanes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cross Lanes’ 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.