Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, St. Marys faces more hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Marys gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1982.
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 St. Marys 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 St. Marys’ grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Marys, and St. Marys’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Marys’ 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 St. Marys: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Marys flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Marys, from FEMA’s records: 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $54K
St. Marys isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pleasants County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Marys
Disasters that paid out in St. Marys itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Marys), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides91 households applied for aid$194K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds1 households applied for aid$17K to the City of St. Marys for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides82 households applied for aid$344K aid approved$13K to the City of St. Marys for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Pleasants County has had 11 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 St. Marys after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Marys archive →Get ready for what St. Marys 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 St. Marys
Is St. Marys at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Marys has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. 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 St. Marys flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in St. Marys since 1982, $119K in all, or 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (4).
Is St. Marys 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 Pleasants County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in St. Marys?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Marys’ 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 St. Marys?
By FEMA money that reached St. Marys, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2004): 82 households applied for aid, $344K approved, and $13K to the City of St. Marys for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 4 paid, $54K.
Is St. Marys at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and St. Marys’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Marys.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Marys’ 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.