Natural Disasters in Charles Town, WV

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

47.8

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

58.0

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

15.8

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

52.9

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

19

Public Assistance

$271K

Individual Assistance

$388K

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

6 declarations

DisasterTypeDatePA $IA $
Severe Winter Storm →Winter StormJan 2026——
Covid-19 Pandemic →BiologicalApr 2020—$327K
Covid-19 →BiologicalMar 2020——
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →Severe StormJul 2018$8K—
Hurricane Sandy →HurricaneOct 2012——
Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds →Severe StormJul 2012$103K—
Severe Storms →Severe StormJun 2012——
Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms →SnowstormApr 2010$160K—
Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm →SnowstormMar 2010——
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and →Severe StormJun 2008—$3K
Hurricane Katrina Evacuation →HurricaneSep 2005——
Hurricane Isabel →HurricaneSep 2003——
Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides →Severe StormMar 2003——
Hurricane Fran and Associated Heavy Rains,flooding Highwind →Severe StormSep 1996——
Flooding →FloodJan 1996——
Blizzard of 96 (severe Snow Storm) →SnowstormJan 1996——
Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm →SnowstormMar 1993——
Severe Storms & Flooding →FloodNov 1985——
Tropical Storm Agnes →FloodJul 1972——
Covid-19 Pandemic →Unknown——$46K

Showing 20 of 24 disasters

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

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

143

Total Claims Paid

$1,752,702

Avg Claim Payout

$12,257

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

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

5

Federal Funding

$761,486

Properties Protected

6

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

0.44

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
91.3: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE1$13,678
106.1: Other Non Construction (Regular Project Only)1$3,875
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine1$317,633
403.4: Stormwater Management - Detention/Retention Basins1$375,000
91.4: Local Multijurisdictional Multihazard Mitigation Plan - NEW 1$51,300

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

Charles Town has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are drought, hurricane, strong wind. The area has had 19 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (6 declarations). 143 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $271,419 in public assistance recovery funding. $388,422 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 5 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.