Natural Disasters in Buckhannon, WV

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

44.8

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

40.9

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

65.1

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

44.0

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Landslide90.4Lightning57.8Hurricane47.8

Hazard	Risk Score
Landslide	90.4
Lightning	57.8
Hurricane	47.8
Cold Wave	44.6
Drought	41.9
Winter Weather	41.4
Hail	34.4
Earthquake	33.4
Avalanche	29.4
Ice Storm	28.1
Strong Wind	18.9
Tornado	12.8
Heat Wave	11.0
Wildfire	10.7

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

Disaster Declarations

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

Most Recent

Winter Storm

Jan 2026

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

7 declarations

Date	Type	Declaration
Jan 24, 2026	Winter Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORM
Apr 3, 2020	Biological	COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Mar 13, 2020	Biological	COVID-19
Jun 25, 2016	Flood	SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Mar 31, 2015	Severe Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORM, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Nov 27, 2012	Hurricane	HURRICANE SANDY
Oct 29, 2012	Hurricane	HURRICANE SANDY
Jul 23, 2012	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS
Jun 30, 2012	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS
May 15, 2009	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, MUDSLIDES, AND LANDSLIDES
May 1, 2007	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Sep 5, 2005	Hurricane	HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Nov 21, 2003	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES
Mar 14, 2003	Severe Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORM, RECORD/NEAR RECORD SNOW, HEAVY RAINS, FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES
Feb 28, 2000	Flood	FLOODING, SEVERE STORMS, AND LANDSLIDES
Aug 14, 1996	Fire	HEAVY RAINS, HIGH WINDS, FLOODING, AND SLIDES
May 23, 1996	Flood	FLOODING, HEAVY WINDS
Jan 13, 1996	Snowstorm	BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM)
Mar 17, 1993	Snowstorm	SEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM
Nov 7, 1985	Flood	SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

Showing 20 of 21 declarations

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

382

Total Claims Paid

$2,696,199

Avg Claim Payout

$7,058

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

Disaster Recovery Spending

Source: FEMA Public Assistance

Total Federal Spending

$141,803

Disasters with PA

Total Projects

Disaster	Type	Projects	Federal $
DR-4071	Severe Storm(s)	13	$71,838
DR-4093	Hurricane	11	$69,965

Buckhannon 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 21 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (7 declarations). 382 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $141,803 in public assistance recovery funding.