Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5Storms, floods and disasters in Jane Lew
Jane Lew isn’t graded for hazard risk: Jane Lew has 480 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1985.
What Jane Lew 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.
Does Jane Lew flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jane Lew, from FEMA’s records.
- The 2026-07-West Virginia-Flooding2 claims · $111K
Jane Lew isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lewis County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jane Lew
Disasters that paid out in Jane Lew itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Jane Lew), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides52 households applied for aid$296K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$3K to the Town of Jane Lew for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides1 households applied for aid$2K to the Town of Jane Lew for repairs
Lewis 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 Jane Lew after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jane Lew archive →Get ready for what Jane Lew 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 Jane Lew
Does Jane Lew flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Jane Lew since 1985, $177K in all. The most claims came from 2026-07-West Virginia-Flooding (2).
Is Jane Lew 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 Lewis County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jane Lew?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jane Lew’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 Jane Lew?
By FEMA money that reached Jane Lew, Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 52 households applied for aid, $296K approved. By flood claims, 2026-07-West Virginia-Flooding: 2 paid, $111K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jane Lew.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jane Lew’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.