Enter any address in Gilmer County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Gilmer County, WV. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 28 flash flood events and 26 flood events. Recent examples include widespread rainfall causing creeks and streams to overflow their banks on January 31, 2025, and river flooding that persisted into February 1, 2025, along the Little Kanawha River.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A, which typically represent areas of higher flood risk, have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $9,571 and an average water depth of 6.1 feet. However, properties in Zone X and even those with an unknown flood zone designation have also seen significant claims with higher average payouts and water depths, suggesting that flood risk is not confined to designated high-risk areas. Homeowners in low-lying areas, near creeks and streams, and those without elevated foundations should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
37 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Gilmer County, West Virginia has recorded 54 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 28 flash floods and 26 river or area floods. The county has received 25 federal disaster declarations, 7 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1967–2026)
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 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jun 22, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Apr 8, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Mar 3, 2015 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jan 31, 2025 | 0.15K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 1, 2025 | 0.25K |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2022 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 7, 2022 | 3.00K |
| Flood | Feb 4, 2022 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2021 | 30.00K |
Flood — Jan 31, 2025
An advancing low pressure system set forth ample amounts of lift and moisture to round out the month of January. Widespread rainfall first entered into the southwestern coalfields of West Virginia on the morning of January 31st, and continued to invade northeastward and up into the higher terrain of the state. Local creeks and streams quickly spilled out of their banks on that day in conjunctio...
Flood — Feb 6, 2025
Showers first entered into West Virginia on the evening of February 5th as a disturbance skirted by to the south. Precipitation continued into the next day, in addition to a few severe thunderstorms that developed ahead of a cold front in the early afternoon. Strong wind gusts from storms caused numerous downed trees and power line damage across Boone and Lincoln Counties during the early after...
Flood — Feb 1, 2025
A low pressure system brought widespread rainfall to the area on the 31st of January, initiating flooding in poor drainage areas and along local creeks and streams. While rainfall ended the evening of the 31st, high water and river flooding continued into early February. River flooding persisted along the Little Kanawha River through the 1st of February, while the Tygart Valley and Buckhannon R...
Flood — Apr 12, 2024
Showers and thunderstorms developed on the afternoon of April 11th due to the combination of unseasonably warm temperatures and a passing disturbance. Storms crossed in from the Ohio River Valley during the early afternoon and continued an eastward progression into the evening. A swath of tree damage and power outages were observed from Mingo County to the eastern half of the West Virginia from...
Flash Flood — Apr 11, 2024
Showers and thunderstorms developed on the afternoon of April 11th due to the combination of unseasonably warm temperatures and a passing disturbance. Storms crossed in from the Ohio River Valley during the early afternoon and continued an eastward progression into the evening. A swath of tree damage and power outages were observed from Mingo County to the eastern half of the West Virginia from...
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 Gilmer 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 Gilmer 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.