Photo: Generic1139 · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Kingwood than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingwood gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #4 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Kingwood 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 Kingwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kingwood, and Kingwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
A #4 of 61 in West Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kingwood’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, Kingwood has less expected damage per building than 95% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $476K a year in losses across Kingwood: $390K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kingwood flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Kingwood. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Kingwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Preston County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kingwood
Disasters that paid out in Kingwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kingwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$30K to the City of Kingwood for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$389 aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$5K to the City of Kingwood for repairs
Preston County has had 19 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 Kingwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kingwood archive →Get ready for what Kingwood 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 Kingwood
Is Kingwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingwood has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #4 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Kingwood 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 Preston County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kingwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kingwood’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 Kingwood?
By FEMA money that reached Kingwood, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $30K to the City of Kingwood for repairs.
Is Kingwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Kingwood’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kingwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kingwood’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.