Photo: SuperDalio · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Nitro than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nitro gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #57 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 35 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 stands out about Nitro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Nitro 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 Nitro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nitro, and Nitro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #57 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nitro’s residents live in 5 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, Nitro has more expected damage per building than 93% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.5M a year in losses across Nitro: $6.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nitro flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nitro, from FEMA’s records: 10.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Nitro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kanawha County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nitro
Disasters that paid out in Nitro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nitro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides12 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$1K to the City of Nitro for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds30 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$26K to the City of Nitro for repairs
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides23 households applied for aid$42K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides14 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$7K to the City of Nitro for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides4 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Kanawha County has had 26 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 Kanawha County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Nitro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nitro archive →Nitro and its neighbors
Nitro is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teays Valley | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 100 |
| Cross Lanes | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Nitro | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Institute | — | 521 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Jefferson | — | 534 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Nitro 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 Nitro
Is Nitro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nitro has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #57 of 61 in West Virginia. 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 Nitro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Nitro since 1980, $209K in all, or 10.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Nitro 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 Kanawha County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nitro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nitro’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 Nitro?
By FEMA money that reached Nitro, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2004): 23 households applied for aid, $42K approved.
Is Nitro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Nitro’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nitro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nitro’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.