Photo: Alainmoscoso · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Keyser’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Keyser gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #40 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 102 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 stands out about Keyser’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Keyser 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 Keyser’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Keyser, and Keyser’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #40 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Keyser’s residents live in 2 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, Keyser has more expected damage per building than 65% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Keyser: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Keyser flood? Yes: 102 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Keyser, from FEMA’s records: 40.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran42 claims · $557K
Keyser isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mineral County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Keyser
Disasters that paid out in Keyser itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Keyser), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$28K to the City of Keyser for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel$33K to the City of Keyser for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$19K to the City of Keyser for repairs
Mineral County has had 16 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 Keyser after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Keyser archive →Get ready for what Keyser 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 Keyser
Is Keyser at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Keyser has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #40 of 61 in West Virginia. 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 Keyser flood?
Flood insurance has paid 102 claims in Keyser since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 40.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (42).
Is Keyser 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 Mineral County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Keyser?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Keyser’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 Keyser?
By FEMA money that reached Keyser, Hurricane Isabel (2003): $33K to the City of Keyser for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 42 paid, $557K.
Is Keyser at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Keyser’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Keyser.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Keyser’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.