On FEMA’s figures, Star City faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Star City gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2000.
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 Star City 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 Star City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Star City, and Star City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Star City’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $535K a year in losses across Star City: $481K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Star City flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Star City, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Star City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monongalia County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Star City
Disasters that paid out in Star City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Star City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Flooding, Severe Storms, and Landslides$3K to the Town of Star City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Monongalia County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Star City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Star City archive →Star City and its neighbors
Star City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star City | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Morgantown | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 137 |
| Granville | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Star City 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 Star City
Is Star City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Star City has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Star City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Star City since 2000, $15K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Star City 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 Monongalia County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Star City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Star City’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 Star City?
By FEMA money that reached Star City, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2003): 3 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Star City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Star City’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Star City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Star City’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.