Natural Disasters in Parkersburg, WV
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
79.8
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
77.8
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
58.6
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
88.5
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Landslide | 86.9 |
| Lightning | 76.1 |
| Ice Storm | 73.9 |
| Heat Wave | 67.5 |
| Strong Wind | 62.0 |
| Hurricane | 60.0 |
| Hail | 58.2 |
| Earthquake | 53.6 |
| Winter Weather | 33.3 |
| Tornado | 32.9 |
| Drought | 27.8 |
| Wildfire | 26.0 |
| Cold Wave | 16.1 |
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 OpenFEMATotal Declarations
18
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
6 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| May 24, 2024 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Apr 3, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Apr 17, 2018 | Mud/Landslide | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Aug 7, 2015 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Mar 31, 2015 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Oct 29, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Jul 23, 2012 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| Jun 30, 2012 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 20, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES |
| Jul 1, 1998 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Mar 7, 1997 | Flood | HEAVY & WIND DRIVEN RAIN, HIGH WINDS,FLOODING,SLIDES |
| Jan 25, 1996 | Flood | FLOODING |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 17, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM |
| Mar 13, 1967 | Flood | FLOODING |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
947
Total Claims Paid
$13,244,361
Avg Claim Payout
$13,986
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$10,971,576
Disasters with PA
6
Total Projects
77
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4517 | Biological | 11 | $7,884,349 |
| DR-4359 | Flood | 14 | $2,223,041 |
| DR-4071 | Severe Storm(s) | 40 | $399,413 |
| DR-4236 | Severe Storm(s) | 3 | $280,707 |
| DR-4756 | Flood | 1 | $119,419 |
| DR-1558 | Severe Storm(s) | 8 | $64,648 |
Parkersburg has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, lightning, ice storm. The area has had 18 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (6 declarations). 947 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $10,971,576 in public assistance recovery funding.