Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA puts Summersville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Summersville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #8 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1986.
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 Summersville 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 Summersville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Summersville, and Summersville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #8 of 61 in West Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Summersville’s residents live in 3 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, Summersville has less expected damage per building than 88% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Summersville: $796K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Summersville flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Summersville, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Summersville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nicholas County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Summersville
Disasters that paid out in Summersville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Summersville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides80 households applied for aid$178K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides193 households applied for aid$522K aid approved$31K to the City of Summersville for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$36K to the City of Summersville for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds208 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$29K to the City of Summersville for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the City of Summersville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides28 households applied for aid$64K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides55 households applied for aid$123K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides40 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$16K to the City of Summersville for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides$15K to the City of Summersville for repairs
Nicholas County has had 21 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 Summersville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Summersville archive →Get ready for what Summersville 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 Summersville
Is Summersville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Summersville has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #8 of 61 in West Virginia. 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 Summersville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Summersville since 1986, $44K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Summersville 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 Nicholas County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Summersville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Summersville’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 Summersville?
By FEMA money that reached Summersville, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2016): 193 households applied for aid, $522K approved, and $31K to the City of Summersville for repairs.
Is Summersville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Summersville’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Summersville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Summersville’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.