Enter any address in Taylor County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Taylor County. Between 2020 and 2024, NOAA data recorded 29 flash flood events and 13 flood events in the county. For example, on May 26, 2024, thunderstorms produced over two and a half inches of rain in localized areas, leading to high water issues on local roads. Earlier, on May 28, 2023, a stationary cold front contributed to flooding on several roadways after saturated ground received additional rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A and Zone X have experienced significant payouts. Zone A claims averaged $14,166 with an average water depth of 3.1 feet, while Zone X claims averaged $41,158 with an average water depth of 5.6 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X, particularly those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or located near waterways, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
27 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Taylor County, West Virginia has recorded 42 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 29 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 (1980–2026)
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 |
| 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, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Feb 29, 2012 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And | Severe Storm | Jun 3, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2023 | 1.50K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2020 | 4.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2019 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2019 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Feb 16, 2018 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Apr 16, 2018 | 4.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2018 | 1.00K |
Flood — May 28, 2025
A low pressure system brought a warm front and then cold front into West Virginia on May 28th. The cold front became stationary and then weakened over the area later that night. While rainfall amounts for the 28th were mainly less than an inch and a half, a couple of inches fell over localized portions of Harrison and Taylor Counties. Rainfall from the previous day had also helped to saturate ...
Flash Flood — May 26, 2024
During the early morning hours of May 26th, parts of northern West Virginia were observing flash flooding as the result thunderstorms that produced heavy downpours the previous evening. Over two and a half inches of rain fell in spots across Taylor and Harrison Counties, which led to high water issues on local roads in the county. Flooding concerns subsided just before sunrise.||Later on that a...
Flash Flood — May 24, 2024
An upper level disturbance and stationary front at the surface provided a focus for rounds of showers and storms on May 24th. Locally heavy rain fell across portions of West Virginia, which had already been saturated by rounds of rain the previous day. Pockets of rain totaling between one and a half to three inches accrued across portions of Kanawha and Logan Counties and resulted in flash floo...
Flash Flood — Aug 29, 2023
After major flash flooding took place across parts of the state the day before, additional flash flooding occurred on the afternoon of August 29th in Harrison County. Showers and a few embedded thunderstorms passed through parts of north central West Virginia as sufficient tropical moisture festered over the area. This led to locally very heavy rainfall in parts of Harrison and Taylor Counties....
Flash Flood — Jul 7, 2020
A broad upper trough was located over the middle Ohio River Valley and central Appalachians from the 7th though the 10th. Very hot and humid conditions were in place as a slow moving surface low slowly moved its way up the East Coast. Diurnally driven showers and storms formed each day, with some of the storms producing hail and strong winds, along with heavy rainfall. Several mesonet rain gage...
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 Taylor 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 Taylor 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.