Bennett Cockayne House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Glen Dale than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glen Dale gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 39 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 Glen Dale 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 Glen Dale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glen Dale, and Glen Dale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glen Dale’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Glen Dale: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glen Dale flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Glen Dale, 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.
- Tropical Storm Ivan13 claims · $149K
Glen Dale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marshall County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Glen Dale
Disasters that paid out in Glen Dale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Glen Dale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides20 households applied for aid$21K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$5K to the City of Glen Dale for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$795 to the City of Glen Dale for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides91 households applied for aid$151K aid approved$10K to the City of Glen Dale for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$5K to the City of Glen Dale for repairs
Marshall 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 Glen Dale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glen Dale archive →Glen Dale and its neighbors
Glen Dale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moundsville | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Mead Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Glen Dale | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
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 Glen Dale 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 Glen Dale
Is Glen Dale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glen Dale has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. 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 Glen Dale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Glen Dale since 1980, $271K in all, or 51.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (13).
Is Glen Dale 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 Marshall County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Glen Dale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glen Dale’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 Glen Dale?
By FEMA money that reached Glen Dale, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2004): 91 households applied for aid, $151K approved, and $10K to the City of Glen Dale for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 13 paid, $149K.
Is Glen Dale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Glen Dale’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glen Dale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glen Dale’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.