Asbury House · Photo: Roger B. Wise · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Hurricane’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hurricane gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #23 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1979.
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 Hurricane 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 Hurricane’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hurricane, and Hurricane’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #23 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hurricane’s residents live in 7 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, Hurricane has less expected damage per building than 63% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Hurricane: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hurricane flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hurricane, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hurricane isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Putnam County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hurricane
Disasters that paid out in Hurricane itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hurricane), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides19 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$82K to the City of Hurricane for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$4K to the City of Hurricane for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides49 households applied for aid$75K aid approved$41K to the City of Hurricane for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides66 households applied for aid$161K aid approved$140K to the City of Hurricane for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides60 households applied for aid$175K aid approved$8K to the City of Hurricane for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides8 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Putnam County has had 19 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 Hurricane after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hurricane archive →Hurricane and its neighbors
Hurricane is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teays Valley | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 100 |
| Hurricane | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Culloden | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Hurricane 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 Hurricane
Is Hurricane at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hurricane has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #23 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 Hurricane flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Hurricane since 1979, $434K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Hurricane 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 Putnam County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hurricane?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hurricane’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 Hurricane?
By FEMA money that reached Hurricane, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2003): 66 households applied for aid, $161K approved, and $140K to the City of Hurricane for repairs.
Is Hurricane at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Hurricane’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hurricane.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hurricane’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.