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Criel MoundPhoto: David G. Simpson · Public domain
DHazard risk
Natural hazards in South Charleston · FEMA

More hazard damage per building is expected in South Charleston than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Charleston gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #46 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1996.

River and rain flooding 97%

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

more than 90%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#46 of 61 in West Virginia
Hazard risk
D#46 of 61
in West Virginia · higher than 90% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
97% of expected building damage
Flood claims
41
paid since 1996 · $1.9M
Flooded more than once
7
properties · 2 “severe repetitive loss”
Disasters paid out here
9
of 27 declared for Kanawha County

What stands out about South Charleston’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Moved out of harm’s way14 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared with FEMA grants.Remembers 200315 flood claims were paid for 2003 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What South Charleston 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

97%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 4 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Hail Strong wind Earthquakes Hurricanes Tornadoes Ice storms Winter storms Lightning Wildfire Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind South Charleston’s grade

River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Charleston, and South Charleston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.

Where South Charleston sits
South Charleston
Least damageMiddleMost damage

D #46 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).

South Charleston’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding97%Everything else3%

The typical West Virginia town has higher expected damage than 73% of U.S. towns; within the state, South Charleston has more expected damage per building than 75% of West Virginia towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.4M a year in losses across South Charleston: $10.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A firm figure. It combines 8 census tracts by where South Charleston’s residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does South Charleston flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1996

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Charleston, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1996: 4 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 15 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 1 claim2010: 5 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 2 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 2 claims2016: 2 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 2 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 5 claims2022: 1 claim2023: 0 claims2024: 2 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims200320102021
19962026
Biggest named events
  • The Summer severe storms2 claims · $12K
  • The West Virginia Flooding1 claim · $7K
41
paid claims since 1996
$1.9M
paid to owners
7
homes flooded more than once
$47K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (2)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

South Charleston 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.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
14flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
Disasters

9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Charleston

Disasters that paid out in South Charleston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Charleston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides29 households applied for aid$175K aid approved
  2. 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides89 households applied for aid$144K aid approved
  3. 2021Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$124K to the City of South Charleston for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
  4. 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$33K to the City of South Charleston for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
  5. 2012Hurricane Sandy$32K to the City of South Charleston for repairs
  6. 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds35 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$235K to the City of South Charleston for repairs
Show all 9
  1. 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides19 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
  2. 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides29 households applied for aid$91K aid approved$20K to the City of South Charleston for repairs
  3. 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides19 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$8K to the City of South Charleston for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in South CharlestonKanawha County only

Kanawha County has had 27 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.

Were you here?

Old photos of South Charleston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the South Charleston archive →
Next door

South Charleston and its neighbors

South Charleston has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Charleston: hazard risk DDunbar: hazard risk DJefferson: not gradedCharlestonDunbarJeffersonSouth Charleston
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
South CharlestonDmore damage than 90%river and rain flooding41
CharlestonDmore damage than 91%river and rain flooding251
DunbarDmore damage than 95%river and rain flooding41
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.

Be ready

Get ready for what South Charleston faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in South Charleston

Is South Charleston at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Charleston has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #46 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 South Charleston flood?

Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in South Charleston since 1996, $1.9M in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Summer severe storms (2).

Is South Charleston 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 South Charleston?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Charleston’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 South Charleston?

By FEMA money that reached South Charleston, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): 35 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $235K to the City of South Charleston for repairs. By flood claims, Summer severe storms: 2 paid, $12K.

Is South Charleston at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and South Charleston’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Charleston.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Charleston’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.