Dr. George Rigas House · Photo: Generic1139 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Weirton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weirton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #31 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 143 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Weirton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Weirton 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 Weirton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Weirton, and Weirton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C #31 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Weirton’s residents live in 6 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, Weirton has more expected damage per building than 50% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.2M a year in losses across Weirton: $7.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Weirton flood? Yes: 143 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Weirton, from FEMA’s records: 15.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan43 claims · $1.3M
Weirton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Weirton
Disasters that paid out in Weirton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Weirton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides14 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides338 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$316K to the City of Weirton for repairs57 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 15 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 Weirton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Weirton archive →Weirton and its neighbors
Weirton is 4th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanover Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Steubenville | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Island Creek Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Weirton | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 143 |
| Toronto | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Pottery Addition | — | 110 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Colliers | — | 117 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Paris | — | 652 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.
Get ready for what Weirton 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 Weirton
Is Weirton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weirton has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #31 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Weirton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 143 claims in Weirton since 1979, $2.1M in all, or 15.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (43).
Is Weirton 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 Hancock County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Weirton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Weirton’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 Weirton?
By FEMA money that reached Weirton, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2004): 338 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $316K to the City of Weirton for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 43 paid, $1.3M.
Is Weirton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Weirton’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Weirton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Weirton’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.