McMechen Lockmaster Houses on the Ohio River · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, McMechen faces more hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McMechen gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 39 claims here since 1980.
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 McMechen 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 McMechen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in McMechen, and McMechen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McMechen’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $929K a year in losses across McMechen: $839K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McMechen flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McMechen, from FEMA’s records: 44.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan9 claims · $65K
McMechen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marshall County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McMechen
Disasters that paid out in McMechen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McMechen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides208 households applied for aid$482K aid approved$326K to the City of McMechen for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$4K to the City of McMechen for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$7K to the City of McMechen for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides61 households applied for aid$164K aid approved$53K to the City of McMechen for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$7K to the City of McMechen for repairs
Marshall County has had 20 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 McMechen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McMechen archive →McMechen and its neighbors
McMechen is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pultney Township | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Bellaire | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| McMechen | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Benwood | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 70 |
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 McMechen 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 McMechen
Is McMechen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McMechen has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McMechen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in McMechen since 1980, $331K in all, or 44.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (9).
Is McMechen 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 Marshall County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McMechen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McMechen’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 McMechen?
By FEMA money that reached McMechen, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2017): 208 households applied for aid, $482K approved, and $326K to the City of McMechen for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 9 paid, $65K.
Is McMechen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and McMechen’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McMechen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McMechen’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.