Enter any address in Monroe County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding events have been the most frequent type of flood recorded in Monroe County over the last 30 years. Recent examples include flash flooding on May 18, 2024, and February 15, 2025, both associated with atmospheric conditions that brought abundant moisture to the region. Another notable event occurred on February 17, 2023, when prolonged rainfall led to localized river flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $16,701 and an average water depth of 3.1 feet. However, properties in Zone X have seen significantly higher average payouts ($45,471) and water depths (20.2 feet), despite fewer claims. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
21 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Monroe County, West Virginia has recorded 45 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 30 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 15, 2025 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jun 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Nov 11, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 15, 2025 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 17, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2020 | 400.00K |
| Flood | Jun 17, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 5, 2020 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Feb 23, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 22, 2018 | 75.00K |
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...
Flash Flood — May 18, 2024
An upper level trough passed across the central Appalachians during the afternoon and evening of May 18th, triggering widely scattered showers and thunderstorms to the north of a stationary front stretching across northern North Carolina. Upper level winds ahead of the trough were light. Moisture was abundant, with precipitable water values ranging from 1.2 to 1.3 inches across southeast West...
Flood — Feb 17, 2023
Prolonged rainfall over a 24- to 25-hour period ended around 8 AM EST on February 17th, which resulted in localized minor river flooding across portions of southeast West Virginia (SEWV). Unusual warmth during most of the river meant no frozen ground, snow cover or river ice in the area. However, MRMS CREST indicated that the ground was still 50 to 75 percent saturated from widespread rainfal...
Flash Flood — Jun 19, 2020
A broad closed off upper low drifted across South Carolina and northwest back into southwest Virginia and West Virginia bringing persistent rainfall that eventually led to flooding. There were repeated rounds of heavy rainfall with widespread amounts of 2 to 5 inches. The most notable rainfall was a fairly localized thunderstorm near Alderson, WV that caused severe flash flood damage on the af...
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 Monroe 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 Monroe 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.