Photo: APK · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Martinsburg faces less hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Martinsburg gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #11 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 30 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 Martinsburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Martinsburg 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
Hurricanes
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 Martinsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Martinsburg, and Martinsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #11 of 61 in West Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Martinsburg’s residents live in 7 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, Martinsburg has less expected damage per building than 83% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Martinsburg: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Martinsburg flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Martinsburg, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Martinsburg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Berkeley County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Martinsburg
Disasters that paid out in Martinsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Martinsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$108K to the City of Martinsburg for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$53K to the City of Martinsburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel$9K to the City of Martinsburg for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides47 households applied for aid$103K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$16K to the City of Martinsburg for repairs
Berkeley County has had 14 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 Martinsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Martinsburg archive →Get ready for what Martinsburg 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- Martinsburg residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Martinsburg
Is Martinsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Martinsburg has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #11 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Martinsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Martinsburg since 1978, $720K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Martinsburg 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 Berkeley County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Martinsburg?
Martinsburg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Martinsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Martinsburg, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $108K to the City of Martinsburg for repairs.
Is Martinsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Martinsburg’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Martinsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Martinsburg’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.