Charleston, WV natural hazards
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Charleston comes from inland flooding, and overall the risk is very high for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 251 claims here since 1978. 13 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 · OpenFEMA claims, aid & declarationsHow exposed is Charleston?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings in Charleston to be higher than in 86% of U.S. communities, mostly from inland flooding.
What Charleston faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how that compares with the rest of the country.
Inland flooding
Lower here
Not a risk here
Does Charleston flood?
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Charleston, from FEMA’s records.
Biggest named events
- Tropical Storm Ivan: 12 claims, $105K
- Summer severe storms: 6 claims, $81K
- Not a named storm: 4 claims, $9K
Homes that flooded again and again
■ FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (4) ■ flooded 2+ times
are insured
are insured
What’s been done with FEMA grants
13 federal disasters brought FEMA money here
Disasters the President declared that paid out in Charleston itself: aid to households, or repair grants to the City of Charleston.
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
Severe Storms and Flooding
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds
Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides
Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides
Severe Winter Storm, Record/Near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides
Flooding, Severe Storms, and Landslides
Charleston and the towns around it
How to read this page
FEMA’s expected losses across Charleston total about $41.1M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); 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. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau.