Enter any address in Brooke County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Brooke County. In the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 29 flash flood events and 17 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in April 2024, where several rounds of showers and thunderstorms caused widespread issues across the Ohio River Valley due to significant rainfall. Another event in July 2025 was attributed to localized flooding from training storms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $14,165 and an average water depth of 6.1 feet. However, properties in Zone X and Zone X_SHADED have also seen substantial payouts, with average water depths of 7.5 feet and 15.4 feet respectively. Residents in Zone A, as well as those in areas designated as Zone X or X_SHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
18 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Brooke County, West Virginia has recorded 46 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 29 flash floods and 17 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Apr 11, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Mud/Landslide | Feb 14, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Apr 8, 2015 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 132.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 2, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 2, 2024 | 564.00K |
| Flood | Apr 2, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2019 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jan 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2018 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2025
A passing shortwave and remnant MCS outflow was enough to initiate some scattered afternoon showers and storms. Impacts were not widespread, however training storms in an environment with 1000 J/kg MUCAPE and 1.7-1.9 PWAT was sufficient for very localized flooding.
Flash Flood — Apr 11, 2024
A strong mid-level trough and an associated frontal zone crossed through the|Mid-South and took aim on the OH Valley. Strong forcing associated the energy aloft coupled with a gradually destabilizing boundary layer out ahead it set the stage for areas of locally heavy showers and thunderstorms for several hours and prompted dangerous flash flooding. A flash flood emergency was issued for portio...
Flash Flood — Apr 2, 2024
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms prompted a widespread flash flood problems across the Ohio River Valley on April 2nd to April 3rd. The synoptic pattern across the CONUS was a slow moving and deep elongated trough over the Great Plains phasing with a ejecting trough over the Midwest that created an area of converging moisture over eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Overall, over ...
Flood — Apr 2, 2024
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms prompted a widespread flash flood problems across the Ohio River Valley on April 2nd to April 3rd. The synoptic pattern across the CONUS was a slow moving and deep elongated trough over the Great Plains phasing with a ejecting trough over the Midwest that created an area of converging moisture over eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Overall, over ...
Flash Flood — Sep 1, 2021
The remnant low pressure center of Hurricane Ida passed across West Virginia and the Central Appalachian Mountains from late August 31st through September 1st. The abundant moisture associated with the low intersected a frontal zone which was nearly stalled in the area of the Ohio Valley. Strong isentropic and frontogenetically-induced lift led to periods of heavy rain over eastern Ohio over ...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Brooke County, West Virginia:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Brooke County, West Virginia that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.