Photo: Brian M. Powell (user Bitmapped on en.wikipedia) · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Ronceverte than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ronceverte gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 109 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 Ronceverte’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ronceverte 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 Ronceverte’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ronceverte, and Ronceverte’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ronceverte’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $997K a year in losses across Ronceverte: $671K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ronceverte flood? Yes: 109 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ronceverte, from FEMA’s records: 136.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Summer severe storms31 claims · $2.5M
Ronceverte isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greenbrier County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ronceverte
Disasters that paid out in Ronceverte itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ronceverte), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$88K to the City of Ronceverte for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides175 households applied for aid$308K aid approved$263K to the City of Ronceverte for repairs31 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds51 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$17K to the City of Ronceverte for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the City of Ronceverte for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$6K to the City of Ronceverte for repairs
Greenbrier County has had 22 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 Ronceverte after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ronceverte archive →Ronceverte and its neighbors
Ronceverte is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairlea | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ronceverte | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 109 |
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 Ronceverte 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 Ronceverte
Is Ronceverte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ronceverte has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ronceverte flood?
Flood insurance has paid 109 claims in Ronceverte since 1978, $5.8M in all, or 136.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Summer severe storms (31).
Is Ronceverte 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 Greenbrier County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ronceverte?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ronceverte’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 Ronceverte?
By FEMA money that reached Ronceverte, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2016): 175 households applied for aid, $308K approved, and $263K to the City of Ronceverte for repairs. By flood claims, Summer severe storms: 31 paid, $2.5M.
Is Ronceverte at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Ronceverte’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ronceverte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ronceverte’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.