Photo: Tim Kiser (Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA puts Moundsville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moundsville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #35 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 77 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 Moundsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Moundsville 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 Moundsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moundsville, and Moundsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #35 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moundsville’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, Moundsville has more expected damage per building than 57% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Moundsville: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moundsville flood? Sometimes: 77 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moundsville, from FEMA’s records: 19.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan19 claims · $415K
Moundsville 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 Moundsville
Disasters that paid out in Moundsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moundsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$112K aid approved$39K to the City of Moundsville for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides27 households applied for aid$202K aid approved$42K to the City of Moundsville for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$616 aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$9K to the City of Moundsville for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides323 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$113K to the City of Moundsville for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$10K to the City of Moundsville 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 Moundsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moundsville archive →Moundsville and its neighbors
Moundsville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moundsville | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Mead Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Glen Dale | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
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 Moundsville 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 Moundsville
Is Moundsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moundsville has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #35 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moundsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 77 claims in Moundsville since 1978, $792K in all, or 19.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (19).
Is Moundsville 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 Moundsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moundsville’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 Moundsville?
By FEMA money that reached Moundsville, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2004): 323 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $113K to the City of Moundsville for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 19 paid, $415K.
Is Moundsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Moundsville’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moundsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moundsville’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.