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Hampshire County, West Virginia

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Very Low overall risk
36th of 55highest risk in West Virginia
$10Mexpected losses a year
17federal declarations
1 in 125homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

Hampshire County, West Virginia has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 62% of US counties. It ranks 36th of 55 counties in West Virginia. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, strong wind and hurricanes. FEMA estimates about $10 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $449 per resident. Since 1967 it has been included in 17 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (10 major disasters). The most recent was in January 2026 (severe winter storm). Fewer than 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (112 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $4.2 million on 261 claims here, including $3.3 million for floods in 1996.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in Hampshire County

$8.6 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 2 times a year.
  • Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
  • Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
$388,760 a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 4 times a year.
  • Secure outdoor furniture and trash bins before storms.
  • Have trees near the house checked.
$327,768 a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 25 years.
  • Know your evacuation zone and route before June 1.
  • Ask about roof age, shutters and the separate wind or hurricane deductible on your home policy.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
Inland floodingLow62.8
$9M
Strong windLow42.8
$389K
HurricaneLow65.7
$328K
DroughtLow58.7
$229K
TornadoVery Low20.0
$206K
HailVery Low30.8
$108K
Cold waveVery Low13.0
$107K
Heat waveVery Low26.8
$96K
EarthquakeVery Low32.6
$84K
LightningVery Low19.2
$58K
WildfireVery Low54.9
$55K
LandslideModerate89.3
$46K
Winter weatherLow40.5
$40K
Ice stormVery Low11.7
$5K
AvalancheVery Low63.3
$2K

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively moderate and community resilience is very low in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included Hampshire County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Flood4
Severe Storm4
Snowstorm3
Hurricane3
Drought2
Winter Storm1

Most recent

Jan 24, 2026Severe Winter StormEmergency
Jul 12, 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and MudslidesMajor disaster
Oct 29, 2012Hurricane SandyEmergency
Jun 30, 2012Severe StormsEmergency
Apr 23, 2010Severe Winter Storms and SnowstormsMajor disaster
Sep 5, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergency
Sep 23, 2003Hurricane IsabelMajor disaster
Mar 14, 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/Near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and LandslidesMajor disaster
Sep 11, 1996Hurricane Fran and Associated Heavy Rains,Flooding HighwindMajor disaster
Jan 25, 1996FloodingMajor disaster
Show all 17
Jan 13, 1996Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm)Major disaster
Mar 17, 1993Severe Snowfall & Winter StormEmergency
Nov 7, 1985Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Aug 24, 1977DroughtEmergency
Jan 19, 1977DroughtEmergency
Jul 3, 1972Tropical Storm AgnesMajor disaster
Mar 13, 1967FloodingMajor disaster

West Virginia also had 6 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1986

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 338 storm reports in Hampshire County since 1986, with 0 deaths and 6 injuries and about $3.1 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an EF1 tornado on July 21, 2026 near Lehew.

5tornadoes
48hail reports, largest 2.75 inches
206damaging thunderstorm winds
67floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
Jul 21, 2026EF1Lehew0 / 0
Jun 2, 1998F1Junction5 / 0
Jun 2, 1998F1Donaldson0 / 0
Jul 12, 2022EF0Glebe0 / 0
Jul 12, 2022EF0Rio0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
Jul 21, 2026TornadoLehew$500K
Sep 6, 1996Flash FloodCountywide$400K
Jul 12, 2022Thunderstorm WindCamp Wickham$300K
Jul 12, 2022Thunderstorm WindCapon Spgs$250K
Jul 12, 2022TornadoGlebe$200K
Jun 2, 1998TornadoJunction$150K

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jul 21, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Hurricanes and tropical storms

Hurricane risk by county ›

Since 1876, 1 hurricane and 10 tropical storms have passed within 65 miles of the center of Hampshire County, 4 of them since 1950. The strongest was an unnamed hurricane in 1893, with top winds near 75 mph about 50 miles away.

1hurricanes
0major hurricanes (Category 3+)
10tropical storms
2003most recent: Isabel

Strongest storms nearby

DateStormStrengthClosest
Oct 13, 1893UnnamedCategory 1, 75 mph50 mi
Sep 18, 1876UnnamedTropical storm, 65 mph58 mi
Aug 29, 1893UnnamedTropical storm, 65 mph59 mi
Sep 19, 2003IsabelTropical storm, 60 mph52 mi
Aug 29, 1949UnnamedTropical storm, 60 mph54 mi
Sep 1, 1952AbleTropical storm, 55 mph58 mi

Most recent storms

DateStormStrengthClosest
Sep 19, 2003IsabelTropical storm, 60 mph52 mi
Sep 6, 1979DavidTropical storm, 45 mph46 mi
Aug 18, 1955DianeTropical storm, 50 mph60 mi
Sep 1, 1952AbleTropical storm, 55 mph58 mi
Aug 29, 1949UnnamedTropical storm, 60 mph54 mi
Aug 4, 1915UnnamedTropical storm, 45 mph65 mi

Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center best-track records (HURDAT2), 1851 to 2025 for the Atlantic and 1949 to 2025 for the eastern Pacific. A storm counts if its track passed within 65 miles of the county's center while it was a tropical storm or hurricane. Strength is the storm's top sustained wind at that point, not the wind measured in the county. Older storms over the open sea were sometimes missed.

Flood insurance in Hampshire County

Check your address flood zone ›
0.8%of homes have federal flood insurance (112 policies)
8.3%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$4.2 millionpaid on 261 flood claims since 1978
1996costliest year, with $3.3 million paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in Hampshire County

$219,200median home value (West Virginia $162,600, US $332,700)
1986median year homes were built (West Virginia 1976, US 1980)
39%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
13.8%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 12,639 housing units.

Compare in West Virginia

All 55 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Kanawha CountyHighInland flooding
Berkeley CountyLowInland flooding
Monongalia CountyLowInland flooding
Cabell CountyModerateInland flooding
Wood CountyLowInland flooding
Raleigh CountyLowInland flooding
Harrison CountyLowInland flooding
Mercer CountyLowInland flooding

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Frederick County, VALow17
Allegany County, MDLow15
Mineral CountyLow17
Morgan CountyVery Low15
Hardy CountyVery Low20
Grant CountyVery Low19

Common questions about Hampshire County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Hampshire County?

Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Hampshire County, about $8.6 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Strong wind is second at $388,760.

How many federal disasters has Hampshire County had?

Hampshire County has been included in 17 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1967, including 10 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm in January 2026.

Is Hampshire County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Very Low, 36th highest of 55 in West Virginia. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in Hampshire County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 125 homes in Hampshire County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has Hampshire County had?

NOAA records list 5 tornadoes in Hampshire County since 1950. The strongest was an EF1 tornado on July 21, 2026 near Lehew. The weather service has also logged 48 hail reports and 67 floods here.

How many hurricanes have hit Hampshire County?

NOAA's hurricane records show 1 hurricane and 10 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the center of Hampshire County. The strongest was an unnamed hurricane in 1893, with winds near 75 mph.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.