Photo: Taber Andrew Bain from Richmond, VA, USA · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Wellsburg than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellsburg gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 344 claims here since 1978.
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 Wellsburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wellsburg 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 Wellsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wellsburg, and Wellsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wellsburg’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Wellsburg: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wellsburg flood? Yes: 344 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wellsburg, from FEMA’s records: 301.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan152 claims · $2.7M
Wellsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brooke County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wellsburg
Disasters that paid out in Wellsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wellsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$63K to the City of Wellsburg for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$26K to the City of Wellsburg for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$3K to the City of Wellsburg for repairs32 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides465 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$125K to the City of Wellsburg for repairs155 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$6K to the City of Wellsburg for repairs
Brooke County has had 14 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 Wellsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wellsburg archive →Wellsburg and its neighbors
Wellsburg is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steubenville Township | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Wells Township | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Wellsburg | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 344 |
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 Wellsburg 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 Wellsburg
Is Wellsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellsburg has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wellsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 344 claims in Wellsburg since 1978, $4.3M in all, or 301.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 56 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (152).
Is Wellsburg 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 Brooke County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wellsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wellsburg’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 Wellsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Wellsburg, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2004): 465 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $125K to the City of Wellsburg for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 152 paid, $2.7M.
Is Wellsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Wellsburg’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wellsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wellsburg’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.