Enter any address in Marion County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Marion County, WV. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 110 flash flood events and 26 general flood events. Recent examples include localized flash flooding in July 2025, driven by training storms and heavy rainfall, and in June 2025, where storms produced rainfall rates of 2-4 inches per hour.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $25,691 and an average water depth of 4.7 feet. Properties in Zone X also show a significant average payout of $23,846, with an average water depth of 2.1 feet, despite fewer claims. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X, and those in areas with unknown flood zone designations should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
73 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Marion County, West Virginia has recorded 136 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 110 flash floods and 26 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 5 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, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jun 14, 2025 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jul 28, 2017 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Feb 29, 2012 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And | Severe Storm | Jun 3, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2025 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2025
A weak shortwave riding along a southward sagging boundary supported a broken convective line. A gradient of 1500-2000 J/kg of MLCAPE and near 30 knots of effective shear was enough for a few stronger storms within the broken line. One became severe as it progressed east along the Mason Dixon line and resulted in some damaging wind. Within this environment, PWAT values of 1.9-2.0 inches support...
Flash Flood — May 30, 2025
Surface low pressure tracked across northern West Virginia on May 30th. Some instances of wind damage were noted, especially due to saturated ground and wind generally in the range of 30 to 40 MPH. However, flash flooding had the higher impact, especially in Marion and Monongalia Counties, as 2 to 3.5 inches of rain fell on ground that was already saturated. Widespread flooding of roads, creek...
Flash Flood — Jul 27, 2025
Morning showers congealed into a cluster of thunderstorms along the Mason Dixon line in the early afternoon hours. A very moisture rich environment with mid 70s dew points, highly anomalous PWAT values up to 2.3, and 3000 J/kg MUCAPE resulted in flash flooding. Observed and radar estimated rainfall rates reached as high as 2 inches per hour and storm totals of 3-4 inches around urban areas.
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2025
A warm, moist airmass remained in place through the latter half of the month which allowed for daily shower and thunderstorm chances. Training storms was the primary factor to the resultant flash flooding as cells developed upshear of the initial updrafts in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. One of these storms did result in yet another round of flash flooding for portions of Wheeling WV.
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2025
Subtle shortwave-induced ascent along a stalled frontal boundary invigorated showers and thunderstorms. On the gradient of a rich PWAT air (1.9-2.0), 1500-2000 J/kg MUCAPE, and 25-30 knots of effective shear, slow moving showers and storms along the boundary resulted in very localized 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 Marion 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 Marion 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.