Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in White Sulphur Springs than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Sulphur Springs gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 73 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 White Sulphur Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What White Sulphur Springs 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 White Sulphur Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in White Sulphur Springs, and White Sulphur Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
White Sulphur Springs’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across White Sulphur Springs: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White Sulphur Springs flood? Sometimes: 73 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White Sulphur Springs, from FEMA’s records: 53.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Summer severe storms64 claims · $3.0M
- The February West Virginia Flooding1 claim · $19K
White Sulphur Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greenbrier County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to White Sulphur Springs
Disasters that paid out in White Sulphur Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of White Sulphur Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides749 households applied for aid$3.4M aid approved$1.4M to the City of White Sulphur Springs for repairs65 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds31 households applied for aid$846 aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the City of White Sulphur Springs for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides7 households applied for aid$734 aid approved
Greenbrier 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.
Old photos of White Sulphur Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White Sulphur Springs archive →Get ready for what White Sulphur Springs 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 White Sulphur Springs
Is White Sulphur Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Sulphur Springs has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does White Sulphur Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 73 claims in White Sulphur Springs since 1979, $3.1M in all, or 53.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Summer severe storms (64).
Is White Sulphur Springs 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 Greenbrier County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in White Sulphur Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White Sulphur Springs’ 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 White Sulphur Springs?
By FEMA money that reached White Sulphur Springs, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2016): 749 households applied for aid, $3.4M approved, and $1.4M to the City of White Sulphur Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Summer severe storms: 64 paid, $3.0M.
Is White Sulphur Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and White Sulphur Springs’ rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White Sulphur Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White Sulphur Springs’ 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.