Photo: Public domain · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in New Martinsville than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Martinsville gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 230 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 New Martinsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Martinsville 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 New Martinsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Martinsville, and New Martinsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #61 of 61 in West Virginia; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Martinsville’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, New Martinsville has more expected damage per building than 100% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across New Martinsville: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Martinsville flood? Yes: 230 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Martinsville, from FEMA’s records: 93.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan115 claims · $2.5M
New Martinsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wetzel County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Martinsville
Disasters that paid out in New Martinsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Martinsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides35 households applied for aid$118K aid approved$67K to the City of New Martinsville for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$135K to the City of New Martinsville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$30K to the City of New Martinsville for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides311 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$190K to the City of New Martinsville for repairs121 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides6 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$9K to the City of New Martinsville for repairs
- 2000Flooding, Severe Storms, and Landslides$10K to the City of New Martinsville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Wetzel County has had 23 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 New Martinsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Martinsville archive →Get ready for what New Martinsville 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 New Martinsville
Is New Martinsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Martinsville has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Martinsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 230 claims in New Martinsville since 1978, $3.4M in all, or 93.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 40 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (115).
Is New Martinsville 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 Wetzel County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Martinsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Martinsville’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 New Martinsville?
By FEMA money that reached New Martinsville, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2004): 311 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $190K to the City of New Martinsville for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 115 paid, $2.5M.
Is New Martinsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and New Martinsville’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Martinsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Martinsville’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.