Photo: Magnolia677 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Oceana, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oceana 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 33 claims here since 1979.
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 Oceana’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oceana 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 Oceana’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oceana, and Oceana’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oceana’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Oceana: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oceana flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oceana, from FEMA’s records: 50.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The February West Virginia Flooding8 claims · $266K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $6K
Oceana isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wyoming County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oceana
Disasters that paid out in Oceana itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Oceana), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides101 households applied for aid$617K aid approved$3.8M to the Town of Oceana for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$24K to the Town of Oceana for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$11K to the Town of Oceana for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$7K to the Town of Oceana for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the Town of Oceana for repairs
Show all 12
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$27K to the Town of Oceana for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides94 households applied for aid$208K aid approved$9K to the Town of Oceana for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides46 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$4K to the Town of Oceana for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides$111K to the Town of Oceana for repairs
Wyoming County has had 24 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 Wyoming County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Oceana after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oceana archive →Get ready for what Oceana 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 Oceana
Is Oceana at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oceana 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 Oceana flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Oceana since 1979, $439K in all, or 50.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from February West Virginia Flooding (8).
Is Oceana 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 Wyoming County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oceana?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oceana’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 Oceana?
By FEMA money that reached Oceana, Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 101 households applied for aid, $617K approved, and $3.8M to the Town of Oceana for repairs. By flood claims, February West Virginia Flooding: 8 paid, $266K.
Is Oceana at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Oceana’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oceana.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oceana’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.