Enter any address in Grant County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Grant County. NOAA Storm Events data from the last 30 years shows 35 flash flood events, alongside 25 general flood events. For example, a flash flood event occurred in July 2025 due to a slow-moving cold front and tropical moisture, with rainfall totals averaging two to four inches in affected areas. Another flash flood event in May 2025 resulted from slow-moving thunderstorms training over the county, producing one to three inches of rain.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A and Zone X have experienced the most claims over the past 30 years. Zone A properties had an average of $15,874 in payouts with an average water depth of -2.4 feet, while Zone X properties averaged $20,787 with an average water depth of 1.1 feet. Properties in Zone UNKNOWN saw the highest average payout of $20,572, with an average water depth of 6.5 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X, and particularly those in Zone UNKNOWN, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
19 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Grant County, West Virginia has recorded 60 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 35 flash floods and 25 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jun 29, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | May 28, 2018 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Apr 14, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 31, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 30, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 23, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2025
A slow moving cold front combined with a highly unstable atmosphere along with tropical moisture to produce slow moving thunderstorms with heavy rainfall. Some of these storms trained over the same areas, resulting in scattered instances of flash flooding. Total rainfall amounts in areas with flash flooding averaged two to four inches.
Flash Flood — May 14, 2025
Underneath an upper level low, slow moving thunderstorms trained over Grant County, WV producing a quick one to three inches of rain resulting in flash flooding. This comes a day after a few inches of rain had just fallen.
Flood — May 13, 2025
A slow moving closed upper level low originating from the Gulf of America brought anomalous moisture into the area. A long duration period of rain ensued, with rain rates exceeding two inches an hour during the afternoon of May 13th. The slow moving storms coupled with training led to localized rainfall totals of four to eight inches across Mineral County, WV, with lesser amounts of two to four...
Flood — Aug 28, 2021
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of an approaching cold front on August 27th-28th, primarily during the afternoon/evening hours each day. Heavy rainfall occurred with these storms which lead to several instances of flooding across the area.
Flash Flood — Aug 28, 2021
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of an approaching cold front on August 27th-28th, primarily during the afternoon/evening hours each day. Heavy rainfall occurred with these storms which lead to several instances of flooding across the area.
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 Grant 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 Grant 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.