Enter any address in Marshall County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Marshall County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 59 flash flood events and 34 flood events, with one reported fatality. Recent examples include flash flooding in July 2025 due to heavy rainfall and saturated ground, and in May 2025, where 2 to 3.5 inches of rain caused widespread flooding of roads, creeks, and streams, necessitating water rescues.
Homeowners in Zone A, which has seen the highest number of NFIP claims (279) with an average payout of $10,113 and an average water depth of 2.9 feet, should pay particular attention. Properties in Zone UNKNOWN, with 110 claims and an average payout of $2,200, also warrant attention. Residents in areas prone to rapid rainfall accumulation and creek overflow should be aware of potential flood risks.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
40 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Marshall County, West Virginia has recorded 93 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 59 flash floods and 34 river or area floods. The county has received 25 federal disaster declarations, 6 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 | Severe Storm | Jul 28, 2017 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 409.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 2, 2024 | 3.57M |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jan 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2021 | 0.00K |
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 — 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 25, 2025
Overnight sub-severe convection and remnant boundaries from said convection acted as initiating mechanisms for development later in the morning and afternoon hours. A moist and unstable environment with up to 2500 J/kg MLCAPE and 30 knots of effective shear supported storm organization and maintenance. Favorable DCAPE between 800-1000 J/kg resulted in some instances of damaging wind. In additio...
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 ...
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 Marshall 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 Marshall 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.