Enter any address in Monongalia County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character in Monongalia County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 78 flash flood events compared to 25 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in May 2025, when 2 to 3.5 inches of rain fell on saturated ground, causing widespread flooding of roads, creeks, and streams, and requiring water rescues. In June 2025, rapid rainfall rates of 2-4 inches per hour impacted the area, leading to significant flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $10,702 and an average water depth of 1.5 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have seen fewer claims but a higher average water depth of 2.6 feet, with an average payout of $4,886. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and those in areas with unknown flood zone designations should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
47 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Monongalia County, West Virginia has recorded 103 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 78 flash floods and 25 river or area floods. The county has received 21 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 (1972–2026)
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 | Mud/Landslide | Feb 14, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jul 28, 2017 |
| 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, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Feb 29, 2012 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
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 | May 30, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 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 — 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 15, 2025
Following the catastrophic flooding that occurred in portions of Wheeling, WV late on the 14th, another round of slow moving storms developed along a stationary boundary over portions of northern West Virginia. With climatologically high precipitable water values, rainfall was efficient, allowing for 2-4 inch/hr rates. This impacted several counties in northern West Virginia but the hardest hit...
Flash Flood — Aug 13, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a prefrontal trough and again along lake and residual outflow boundaries. With PWAT values near 2.00 inches, some storms did produce efficient rainfall for flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 6, 2025
A very moist airmass and a nearly stationary front resulted in rounds of thunderstorms that produced flash flooding on June 6th into the morning hours of the 7th. This included reports of flooding in Marion, Monongalia, and Preston counties in West Virginia.
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 Monongalia 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 Monongalia 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.