Natural Disasters in Bethlehem, WV

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

69.8

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

73.6

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

27.6

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

94.8

Score (0-100)

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster History & Federal Spending

Source: FEMA

Total Declarations

23

Public Assistance

$15.5M

Individual Assistance

$23.1M

Most Common Type

Flood

7 declarations

DisasterTypeDatePA $IA $
Severe Winter Storm →Winter StormJan 2026——
Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →FloodJul 2025$2.4M$7.6M
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →FloodMay 2024$5.9M$193K
Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →Severe StormMay 2024$3.4M$1.1M
Covid-19 Pandemic →BiologicalApr 2020$191K$2.0M
Covid-19 →BiologicalMar 2020——
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →Mud/LandslideApr 2018$635K—
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →Severe StormAug 2017$228K$561K
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →FloodMay 2015——
Hurricane Sandy →HurricaneOct 2012——
Severe Storms →Severe StormJun 2012——
Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms →SnowstormApr 2010$23K—
Hurricane Katrina Evacuation →HurricaneSep 2005——
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides →Severe StormFeb 2005——
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides →Severe StormSep 2004$2.9M$7.4M
Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides →Severe StormMar 2003——
Severe Storms and Flooding →Severe StormJul 1998——
Flooding →FloodJan 1996——
Blizzard of 96 (severe Snow Storm) →SnowstormJan 1996——
Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm →SnowstormMar 1993——

Showing 20 of 29 disasters

PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

3,120

Total Claims Paid

$33,760,546

Avg Claim Payout

$10,821

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

5

Federal Funding

$1,088,667

Properties Protected

10

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

0.66

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine4$147,667
403.2: Stormwater Management - Diversions1$941,000

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Bethlehem has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, lightning, hurricane. The area has had 23 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is flood (7 declarations). 3,120 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $15,511,731 in public assistance recovery funding. $23,102,172 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 5 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.