Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Ripley than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ripley gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #32 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 68 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 Ripley 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 Ripley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ripley, and Ripley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #32 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ripley’s residents live in 2 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, Ripley has more expected damage per building than 52% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Ripley: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ripley flood? Sometimes: 68 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ripley, from FEMA’s records: 41.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $7K
Ripley 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ripley
Disasters that paid out in Ripley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ripley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$47K to the City of Ripley for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds11 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$1K to the City of Ripley for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and10 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides8 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides98 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$13K to the City of Ripley for repairs1 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 Ripley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ripley archive →Get ready for what Ripley 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 Ripley
Is Ripley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ripley has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #32 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ripley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 68 claims in Ripley since 1978, $903K in all, or 41.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Ripley 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 Ripley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ripley’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 Ripley?
By FEMA money that reached Ripley, Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides (2003): 98 households applied for aid, $66K approved, and $13K to the City of Ripley for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $7K.
Is Ripley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Ripley’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ripley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ripley’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.