Photo: Andrew Bain · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Moorefield than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moorefield gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #37 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 122 claims 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 stands out about Moorefield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Moorefield 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 Moorefield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moorefield, and Moorefield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #37 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moorefield’s residents live in 4 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, Moorefield has more expected damage per building than 60% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Moorefield: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moorefield flood? Yes: 122 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moorefield, from FEMA’s records: 115.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran78 claims · $2.3M
Moorefield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hardy County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moorefield
Disasters that paid out in Moorefield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Moorefield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$8K to the Town of Moorefield for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$2K to the Town of Moorefield for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$14K to the Town of Moorefield for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel$51K to the Town of Moorefield for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$28K to the Town of Moorefield for repairs
Hardy County has had 17 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hardy County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Moorefield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moorefield archive →Get ready for what Moorefield 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 Moorefield
Is Moorefield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moorefield has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #37 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moorefield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 122 claims in Moorefield since 1985, $3.0M in all, or 115.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (78).
Is Moorefield 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 Hardy County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Moorefield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moorefield’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 Moorefield?
By FEMA money that reached Moorefield, Hurricane Isabel (2003): $51K to the Town of Moorefield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 78 paid, $2.3M.
Is Moorefield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Moorefield’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moorefield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moorefield’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.