Natural Disasters in Ghent, WV

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

65.5

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

60.4

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

67.3

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

38.5

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

29

Public Assistance

$1.4M

Individual Assistance

$2.0M

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

11 declarations

Public Assistance by Category

Total: $1.6M
DisasterTypeDatePA $IA $
Severe Winter Storm →Winter StormJan 2026——
Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flood… →Severe StormFeb 2025$418K$176K
Covid-19 Pandemic →BiologicalApr 2020$66K$62K
Covid-19 →BiologicalMar 2020——
Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslide… →Severe StormMar 2015$278K—
Hurricane Sandy →HurricaneNov 2012$97K—
Hurricane Sandy →HurricaneOct 2012——
Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds →Severe StormJul 2012$419K$142K
Severe Storms →Severe StormJun 2012——
Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and … →Severe StormMar 2010—$589K
Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm →SnowstormMar 2010——
Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and … →Severe StormMay 2009$50K$148K
Hurricane Katrina Evacuation →HurricaneSep 2005——
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides →Severe StormJun 2004$24K$346K
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides →Severe StormNov 2003$73K$458K
Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record … →Severe StormMar 2003—$119K
Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides →Severe StormMay 2002——
Wv - Southeast Fire Complex - 11/16/2001 →FireNov 2001——
Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides →Severe StormJun 2001——
Flooding, Heavy Winds →FloodMay 1996——

Showing 20 of 34 disasters

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

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

474

Total Claims Paid

$4,538,139

Avg Claim Payout

$9,574

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

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

8

Federal Funding

$3,181,227

Properties Protected

41

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

2.84

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine4$1,093,034
601.1: Generators1$191,911
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine; 200.5: Acquisition of Vacant Land1$464,532
401.1: Water and Sanitary Sewer System Protective Measures1$795,750
106.2: Other Non Construction1$636,000

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

Ghent has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, winter weather, lightning. The area has had 29 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (11 declarations). 474 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $1,424,897 in public assistance recovery funding. $2,046,074 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 8 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.