Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Kermit
Kermit isn’t graded for hazard risk: Kermit has 153 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 33 claims here since 1978.
What Kermit 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 Kermit flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kermit, from FEMA’s records.
- The February West Virginia Flooding5 claims · $89K
Kermit isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mingo County.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kermit
Disasters that paid out in Kermit itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kermit), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides202 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding75 households applied for aid$265K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$123K to the Town of Kermit for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Lanslides10 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides18 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
Show all 15
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides22 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$46K to the Town of Kermit for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides69 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$30K to the Town of Kermit for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides71 households applied for aid$136K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides16 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides182 households applied for aid$432K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides57 households applied for aid$100K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides77 households applied for aid$216K aid approved$12K to the Town of Kermit for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides$54K to the Town of Kermit for repairs
Mingo County has had 31 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 Mingo County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Kermit after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kermit archive →Kermit and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warfield | — | 297 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Kermit 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 Kermit
Does Kermit flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Kermit since 1978, $529K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from February West Virginia Flooding (5).
Is Kermit 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 Mingo County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kermit?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kermit’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 Kermit?
By FEMA money that reached Kermit, Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 202 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved. By flood claims, February West Virginia Flooding: 5 paid, $89K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kermit.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kermit’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.