Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Kenova than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenova gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #24 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Kenova 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 Kenova’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kenova, and Kenova’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #24 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Kenova’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical West Virginia town has higher expected damage than 73% of U.S. towns; within the state, Kenova has less expected damage per building than 62% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Kenova: $882K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kenova flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kenova, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $21K
Kenova isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kenova
Disasters that paid out in Kenova itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kenova), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides16 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$29K to the City of Kenova for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides13 households applied for aid$228K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$44K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$92K to the City of Kenova for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$9K to the City of Kenova for repairs
Wayne County has had 28 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Wayne County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Kenova after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kenova archive →Kenova and its neighbors
Kenova has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenova | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Ceredo | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Fayette Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Perry Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| South Point | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Catlettsburg | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Kenova 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 Kenova
Is Kenova at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenova has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #24 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kenova flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Kenova since 1978, $91K in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Kenova 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 Wayne County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kenova?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kenova’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 Kenova?
By FEMA money that reached Kenova, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): 13 households applied for aid, $228K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $21K.
Is Kenova at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Kenova’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kenova.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kenova’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.