Natural Disasters in Welch, WV

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

76.7

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

61.5

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

96.3

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

4.1

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

27

Public Assistance

$8.9M

Individual Assistance

$11.8M

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

12 declarations

Public Assistance by Category

Total: $8.9M
DisasterTypeDatePA $IA $
Severe Winter Storm →Winter StormJan 2026——
Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flood… →Severe StormFeb 2025$6.1M$9.1M
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and… →FloodNov 2022$2.1M—
Covid-19 Pandemic →BiologicalApr 2020$18K$89K
Covid-19 →BiologicalMar 2020——
Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslide… →Severe StormMar 2015$70K—
Hurricane Sandy →HurricaneOct 2012——
Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds →Severe StormJul 2012$69K$25K
Severe Storms →Severe StormJun 2012——
Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and … →FloodJun 2010$194K$1.2M
Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm →SnowstormMar 2010——
Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and … →Severe StormMay 2009$174K$411K
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and… →Severe StormMay 2007——
Hurricane Katrina Evacuation →HurricaneSep 2005——
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides →Severe StormJun 2004—$240K
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides →Severe StormNov 2003$71K$503K
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides →Severe StormJun 2003—$43K
Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record … →Severe StormMar 2003—$195K
Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides →Severe StormMay 2002——
Wv - Southeast Fire Complex - 11/16/2001 →FireNov 2001——

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

1,049

Total Claims Paid

$9,671,416

Avg Claim Payout

$9,220

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

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

16

Federal Funding

$6,855,349

Properties Protected

203

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

2.13

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine12$6,545,223
200.3: Acquisition of Public Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine2$224,826
600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan)1$35,290
601.2: Generators - Regular1$50,010

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

Welch has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, cold wave, avalanche. The area has had 27 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (12 declarations). 1,049 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $8,867,271 in public assistance recovery funding. $11,758,578 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 16 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.