Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA puts Elkins’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elkins gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #52 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 184 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 Elkins’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Elkins 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 Elkins’ grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elkins, and Elkins’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #52 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elkins’ residents live in 4 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, Elkins has more expected damage per building than 85% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Elkins: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elkins flood? Yes: 184 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elkins, from FEMA’s records: 51.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $5K
Elkins isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Randolph County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elkins
Disasters that paid out in Elkins itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Elkins), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$74K to the City of Elkins for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$22K to the City of Elkins for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the City of Elkins for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Flooding, Severe Storms, and Landslides$24K to the City of Elkins for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
Randolph County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Elkins after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elkins archive →Elkins and its neighbors
Elkins has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elkins | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 184 |
| Beverly | — | 629 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 Elkins 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 Elkins
Is Elkins at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elkins has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #52 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elkins flood?
Flood insurance has paid 184 claims in Elkins since 1978, $1.7M in all, or 51.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 40 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Elkins 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 Randolph County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elkins?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elkins’ 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 Elkins?
By FEMA money that reached Elkins, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $74K to the City of Elkins for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Elkins at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Elkins’ rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elkins.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elkins’ 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.