Flood insurance in West Virginia

Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for West Virginia, county by county, from official FEMA records.

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
9,111
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,881
$611 above the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$386.7M
across 27,998 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
76%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in West Virginia, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2004, with $49.5 million paid on 2,810 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE0%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE76%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C24%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 37% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in West Virginia

EventYearClaimsPaid
Summer severe storms2016997$46.8 million
Tropical Storm Ivan20041,959$35.2 million
Flooding19962,118$34.7 million
Flooding19851,317$21.3 million
Flooding19841,210$20.5 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in West Virginia with detailed pages, by number of policies. 42 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Kanawha County1,259$2,0062,479$43.2 million
Ohio County432$2,7483,123$33.8 million
Cabell County348$1,388807$11.4 million
Logan County316$1,8032,149$31.8 million
Greenbrier County309$1,760943$25.7 million
Mingo County260$1,3711,679$30.4 million
Wyoming County242$1,720923$14.2 million
Wood County227$1,537947$13.2 million
Harrison County205$1,780786$5.7 million
Pocahontas County169$2,115706$15.1 million
McDowell County150$2,0601,050$9.7 million
Randolph County141$1,619536$4.7 million
Marshall County136$1,920541$4.3 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in West Virginia?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in West Virginia costs about $1,881 a year. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.

How many homes have flood insurance in West Virginia?

There are about 9,111 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in West Virginia, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does West Virginia flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in West Virginia have filed 27,998 flood claims, with $386.7 million paid out. 1,812 of those claims were in the last 10 years.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.

How long until a new flood policy starts?

NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.

How to get flood insurance

Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.