Photo: WVhybrid at English Wikipedia · CC BY 2.5Storms, floods and disasters in Marlinton
Marlinton isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Marlinton yet. Flood insurance has paid 492 claims here since 1978.
What Marlinton 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 Marlinton flood? Yes: 492 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marlinton, from FEMA’s records.
- The Summer severe storms5 claims · $167K
Marlinton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pocahontas County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marlinton
Disasters that paid out in Marlinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Marlinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides71 households applied for aid$102K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds11 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$13K to the Town of Marlinton for repairs37 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Marlinton for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$15K to the Town of Marlinton for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
Pocahontas County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Marlinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marlinton archive →Get ready for what Marlinton 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 Marlinton
Does Marlinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 492 claims in Marlinton since 1978, $13.4M in all. 74 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Summer severe storms (5).
Is Marlinton 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 Pocahontas County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marlinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marlinton’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 Marlinton?
By FEMA money that reached Marlinton, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2016): 71 households applied for aid, $102K approved. By flood claims, Summer severe storms: 5 paid, $167K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marlinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marlinton’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.