Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Weston than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weston gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #57 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 190 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 Weston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Weston 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 Weston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Weston, and Weston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #57 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Weston’s residents live in 4 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, Weston has more expected damage per building than 93% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Weston: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Weston flood? Yes: 190 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Weston, from FEMA’s records: 90.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-07-West Virginia-Flooding16 claims · $617K
Weston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lewis County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Weston
Disasters that paid out in Weston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Weston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides705 households applied for aid$7.6M aid approved16 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$2K to the City of Weston for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides55 households applied for aid$79K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides11 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$14K to the City of Weston for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides14 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$12K to the City of Weston for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Flooding, Severe Storms, and Landslides$59K to the City of Weston for repairs
Lewis County has had 20 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 Weston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Weston archive →Get ready for what Weston 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 Weston
Is Weston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weston has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #57 of 61 in West Virginia. 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 Weston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 190 claims in Weston since 1978, $1.7M in all, or 90.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-07-West Virginia-Flooding (16).
Is Weston 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 Lewis County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Weston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Weston’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 Weston?
By FEMA money that reached Weston, Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 705 households applied for aid, $7.6M approved. By flood claims, 2026-07-West Virginia-Flooding: 16 paid, $617K.
Is Weston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Weston’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Weston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Weston’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.