Enter any address in Pleasants County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and flash flooding have been the dominant flood types in Pleasants County over the last 30 years, with 15 flood events and 11 flash flood events recorded. Recent events include roadway inundation from slow-moving rain systems in May 2020 and minor flooding following around two inches of rainfall in February 2019.
National Flood Insurance Program data shows that Zone A, areas with known flood hazards, has experienced 23 claims with an average payout of $12,965 and an average water depth of 6.3 feet. Zone X, areas with reduced flood risk, has seen 7 claims with a higher average payout of $22,758 and an average water depth of 4.4 feet. Residents in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and areas with unknown flood risk, should pay close attention to flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
17 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Pleasants County, West Virginia has recorded 26 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 11 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1993–2026)
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 | Flood | Apr 13, 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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Sep 16, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 20, 2020 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2019 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2019 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2018 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Feb 16, 2018 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Apr 4, 2018 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Mar 4, 2015 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2013 | 200.00K |
| Flood | Mar 11, 2011 | 15.00K |
Flood — May 20, 2020
A slow moving low pressure system crossing through the Tennessee Valley resulted in a multiple day flooding event across portions of West Virginia. The ground was already saturated from antecedent rain earlier in the month, which resulted in roadways being inundated with water and becoming impassable for a time. Rainfall amounts from across the state ranged between one to four inches through th...
Flash Flood — Jul 6, 2019
A slow moving cold front moved through the middle Ohio River Valley on the 6th and 7th. Storms along and ahead of the front produced localized damaging winds and flash flooding.
Flood — Feb 6, 2019
Several waves of low pressure at the surface moved up the Ohio River Valley on the 6th and 7th. Rainfall amounts in western West Virginia through the period totaled around 2 inches. This led to several areas of minor flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 27, 2018
Following on and off rain on the 27th, a cold front pushed through during the evening with heavy rainfall leading to flooding. A couple storms also produced wind damage, with one isolated but very strong downburst in Harrison County.
Flood — Jun 21, 2018
As a front oscillated north and south across the middle Ohio River Valley and central Appalachains, areas of repetitive, heavy rainfall led to flooding on the 21st and 22nd.
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 Pleasants 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 Pleasants 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.