Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainFEMA puts Follansbee’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Follansbee gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #29 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1980.
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 Follansbee 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 Follansbee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Follansbee, and Follansbee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
C #29 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Follansbee’s residents live in 2 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, Follansbee has less expected damage per building than 53% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Follansbee: $964K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Follansbee flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Follansbee, from FEMA’s records: 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Follansbee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brooke County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Follansbee
Disasters that paid out in Follansbee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Follansbee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$178K to the City of Follansbee for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$750 to the City of Follansbee for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$182K to the City of Follansbee for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides52 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$25K to the City of Follansbee for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$11K to the City of Follansbee for repairs
Brooke County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Follansbee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Follansbee archive →Follansbee and its neighbors
Follansbee is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mingo Junction | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Follansbee | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Hooverson Heights | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Steubenville Township | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Follansbee 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 Follansbee
Is Follansbee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Follansbee has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #29 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 Follansbee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Follansbee since 1980, $720K in all, or 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Follansbee 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 Brooke County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Follansbee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Follansbee’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 Follansbee?
By FEMA money that reached Follansbee, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2005): $182K to the City of Follansbee for repairs.
Is Follansbee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Follansbee’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Follansbee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Follansbee’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.