Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in War
War isn’t graded for hazard risk: War has 628 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1978.
What War 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.
Does War flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in War, from FEMA’s records.
War isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McDowell County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to War
Disasters that paid out in War itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of War), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides166 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$610K to the City of War for repairs
- 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.9M to the City of War for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$70K to the City of War for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$3K to the City of War for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the City of War for repairs
Show all 12
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides19 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides13 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides$10K to the City of War for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
McDowell 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in McDowell County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of War after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the War archive →Get ready for what War 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 War
Does War flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in War since 1978, $22K in all.
Is War 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 McDowell County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in War?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for War’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 War?
By FEMA money that reached War, Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 166 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $610K to the City of War for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in War.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where War’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.