Mud River Covered Bridge · Photo: William Edmund Barrett · Public domainFEMA puts Milton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #42 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 161 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 Milton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Milton 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 Milton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milton, and Milton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #42 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Milton’s residents live in 3 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, Milton has more expected damage per building than 68% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Milton: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milton flood? Yes: 161 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milton, from FEMA’s records: 123.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $1K
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $6K
Milton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cabell County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milton
Disasters that paid out in Milton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Milton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides24 households applied for aid$136K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$53K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds20 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides9 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides11 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides102 households applied for aid$365K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides43 households applied for aid$103K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides44 households applied for aid$161K aid approved$7K to the Town of Milton for repairs
- 2000Flooding, Severe Storms, and Landslides$3K to the Town of Milton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Cabell County has had 25 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Cabell County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Milton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milton archive →Milton and its neighbors
Milton is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culloden | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Milton | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 161 |
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 Milton 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 Milton
Is Milton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milton has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #42 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Milton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 161 claims in Milton since 1978, $2.7M in all, or 123.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 27 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (1).
Is Milton 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 Cabell County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Milton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milton’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 Milton?
By FEMA money that reached Milton, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2003): 102 households applied for aid, $365K approved. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Milton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Milton’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milton’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.