Enter any address in Hardy County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Hardy County. Between 1996 and 2026, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 33 flash flood events and 19 flood events. For example, a flash flood occurred in June 2025 when thunderstorms produced localized rainfall of two to five inches, resulting in flash flooding. Another event in May 2025 saw rain rates exceeding two inches an hour, leading to localized rainfall totals of two to four inches across the eastern panhandle.
NFIP claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced 107 claims with an average payout of $14,350 and an average water depth of -11.1 feet. Properties in Zone X have seen 23 claims with an average payout of $23,467 and an average water depth of -9.8 feet. Properties in Zone UNKNOWN have had 26 claims with an average payout of $19,374 and an average water depth of 3.8 feet. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, Zone X, or Zone UNKNOWN, particularly those near rivers or in low-lying areas, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Hardy County, West Virginia has recorded 52 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 33 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 22 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 (1967–2026)
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 | 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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 16, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jun 2, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 1, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2013 | 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.
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...
Flash Flood — Jun 9, 2025
Thunderstorms developed along the higher terrain before slowly drifting across portions of the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. Thunderstorms produced localized rainfall amounts of two to five inches which resulted in flash flooding.
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 — Jun 10, 2021
A slow moving cold front dropped into the area from the northeast. The airmass was very warm and humid ahead of the boundary, and that led to the development of showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall. The storm motion was slow due to light winds aloft, so the heavy rain led to instances of flooding and flash flooding.
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 Hardy 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 Hardy 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.