Enter any address in Mercer County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding is the dominant flood character in Mercer County, WV, with 77 flash flood events recorded in the last 30 years, compared to 36 general flood events. Recent flood events include those in January 2025 and February 2025, associated with deep low-pressure systems drawing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A (191 claims) and Zone X_UNSHADED (55 claims). Zone X, though fewer in number (37 claims), has the highest average payout ($16,831) and average water depth (5.5 ft). Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X_UNSHADED, and particularly Zone X, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
70 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Mercer County, West Virginia has recorded 113 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 77 flash floods and 36 river or area floods. The county has received 27 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 |
| Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 15, 2025 |
| Post-tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Mar 12, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jan 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 2.00M |
| Flood | Feb 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2024 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2024 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jan 31, 2025
A deep low pressure system moved from the Four-Corners region east across the Gulf Coast states. This resulted in deep moisture flow riding a southwesterly 50-knot low level jet from the Gulf through the central Appalachians and the upper Ohio River Valley beginning early on the morning of the 31st, with precipitable water values rapidly increasing into the 1.1 to 1.2 inch range by sunrise acro...
Flash Flood — Jul 30, 2025
A slow-moving and localized thunderstorm produced between 3 and 3.5 inches or rain during 90-minutes across the Adair Run basin. Rainfall rates were estimated by radar to be up to 4 inches per hour at times. CREST Unit streamflow was estimated to be as high as 450 cfs per mi^2, while the 3-hour ARI reached as high as a 200-year event by 8:45 pm EDT.
Flood — Feb 15, 2025
A deep upper level trough was observed exiting the southern Rockies during the morning of February 15th, with southwesterly windflow ahead of the trough allowing for a fetch of deep moisture from the western Gulf of America. This moisture pooled along a warm front situated across from Kentucky into southwest Virginia, where precipitable water values increased from 0.6 to 0.7 inches at 7 am that...
Flash Flood — Feb 15, 2025
A deep upper level trough was observed exiting the southern Rockies during the morning of February 15th, with southwesterly windflow ahead of the trough allowing for a fetch of deep moisture from the western Gulf of America. This moisture pooled along a warm front situated across from Kentucky into southwest Virginia, where precipitable water values increased from 0.6 to 0.7 inches at 7 am that...
Flood — Feb 1, 2025
A deep low pressure system moved from the Four-Corners region east across the states bordering the Gulf of America. This resulted in deep moisture flow riding a southwesterly 50-knot low level jet from the Gulf through the central Appalachians and the upper Ohio River Valley beginning on January 31st, with precipitable water values rapidly increasing into the 1.1 to 1.2 inch range by sunrise ac...
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 Mercer 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 Mercer 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.