Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Wheeling than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheeling gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #56 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 2,656 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 Wheeling’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wheeling 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 Wheeling’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wheeling, and Wheeling’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #56 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wheeling’s residents live in 17 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, Wheeling has more expected damage per building than 92% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.0M a year in losses across Wheeling: $23.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wheeling flood? Yes: 2,656 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wheeling, from FEMA’s records: 182.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan900 claims · $16.0M
Wheeling isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ohio County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wheeling
Disasters that paid out in Wheeling itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wheeling), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides164 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$695K to the City of Wheeling for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides64 households applied for aid$193K aid approved$5.9M to the City of Wheeling for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides275 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$2.6M to the City of Wheeling for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$21K to the City of Wheeling for repairs24 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$142K to the City of Wheeling for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$2K to the City of Wheeling for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$204K to the City of Wheeling for repairs191 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides2,450 households applied for aid$5.9M aid approved$874K to the City of Wheeling for repairs917 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$24K to the City of Wheeling for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Ohio County has had 19 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 Wheeling after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wheeling archive →Wheeling and its neighbors
Wheeling is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pultney Township | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Bellaire | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Bridgeport | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Pease Township | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 148 |
| Wheeling | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2,656 |
| Martins Ferry | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Benwood | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 70 |
| Clearview | — | 500 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Triadelphia | — | 825 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Yorkville | — | 908 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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling
Is Wheeling at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheeling has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #56 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 Wheeling flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,656 claims in Wheeling since 1978, $31.1M in all, or 182.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 519 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (900).
Is Wheeling 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 Ohio County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wheeling?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wheeling’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 Wheeling?
By FEMA money that reached Wheeling, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2004): 2,450 households applied for aid, $5.9M approved, and $874K to the City of Wheeling for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 900 paid, $16.0M.
Is Wheeling at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Wheeling’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wheeling.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wheeling’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.