Photo: Analogue Kid at en.wikipedia · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Ravenswood than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ravenswood gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #39 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Ravenswood 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 Ravenswood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ravenswood, and Ravenswood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #39 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ravenswood’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical West Virginia town has higher expected damage than 73% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ravenswood has more expected damage per building than 63% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Ravenswood: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ravenswood flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ravenswood, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $4K
Ravenswood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ravenswood
Disasters that paid out in Ravenswood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ravenswood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides20 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds17 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$5K to the City of Ravenswood for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and14 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides20 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides37 households applied for aid$25K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Jackson County has had 19 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 Ravenswood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ravenswood archive →Get ready for what Ravenswood 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 Ravenswood
Is Ravenswood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ravenswood has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #39 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ravenswood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Ravenswood since 1985, $58K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Ravenswood 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 Jackson County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ravenswood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ravenswood’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 Ravenswood?
By FEMA money that reached Ravenswood, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2004): 20 households applied for aid, $65K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Ravenswood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Ravenswood’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ravenswood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ravenswood’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.