Enter any address in Wetzel County, West Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events dominates the flood character in Wetzel County. Recent events include flash flooding in April 2024, following several days of heavy rain across the Ohio River Valley, and in June 2025, when slow-moving storms produced rainfall rates of 2-4 inches per hour in northern West Virginia.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $13,040 and an average water depth of 2.9 feet. Properties in Zone X and Zone X_UNSHADED have also seen claims, with Zone X_UNSHADED claims averaging a higher payout of $18,717 and a significantly deeper water depth of 7.7 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk or higher-risk shaded and unshaded X zones, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
31 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wetzel County, West Virginia has recorded 60 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 45 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 27 federal disaster declarations, 7 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 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Apr 11, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 2024 |
| 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 Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Apr 8, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Mar 3, 2015 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 29, 2012 |
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 | Jun 25, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 1.40M |
| Flash Flood | Apr 3, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 2, 2024 | 933.00K |
| Flood | Apr 2, 2024 | 1.00K |
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 — Jun 25, 2025
A warm, moist airmass remained in place through the latter half of the month which allowed for daily shower and thunderstorm chances. Training storms was the primary factor to the resultant flash flooding as cells developed upshear of the initial updrafts in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. One of these storms did result in yet another round of flash flooding for portions of Wheeling WV.
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 — Apr 11, 2024
A strong mid-level trough and an associated frontal zone crossed through the|Mid-South and took aim on the OH Valley. Strong forcing associated the energy aloft coupled with a gradually destabilizing boundary layer out ahead it set the stage for areas of locally heavy showers and thunderstorms for several hours and prompted dangerous flash flooding. A flash flood emergency was issued for portio...
Flash Flood — Apr 3, 2024
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms prompted a widespread flash flood problems across the Ohio River Valley on April 2nd to April 3rd. The synoptic pattern across the CONUS was a slow moving and deep elongated trough over the Great Plains phasing with a ejecting trough over the Midwest that created an area of converging moisture over eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Overall, over ...
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 Wetzel 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 Wetzel 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.