Old Stone Church · Photo: Richard Cheek · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Lewisburg faces less hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewisburg gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #9 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1985.
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 Lewisburg 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 Lewisburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lewisburg, and Lewisburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #9 of 61 in West Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lewisburg’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, Lewisburg has less expected damage per building than 87% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Lewisburg: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lewisburg flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lewisburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lewisburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greenbrier County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lewisburg
Disasters that paid out in Lewisburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lewisburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides168 households applied for aid$194K aid approved$246K to the City of Lewisburg for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds68 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$17K to the City of Lewisburg for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$145 aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the City of Lewisburg for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides4 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Greenbrier County has had 22 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 Lewisburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lewisburg archive →Lewisburg and its neighbors
Lewisburg has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisburg | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Fairlea | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Lewisburg 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 Lewisburg
Is Lewisburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewisburg has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #9 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lewisburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Lewisburg since 1985, $12K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lewisburg 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 Greenbrier County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lewisburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lewisburg’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 Lewisburg?
By FEMA money that reached Lewisburg, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2016): 168 households applied for aid, $194K approved, and $246K to the City of Lewisburg for repairs.
Is Lewisburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Lewisburg’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lewisburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lewisburg’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.