Wood County, West Virginia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 54107 · population 84,238 · 367 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 629 records for Wood County, West Virginia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 434 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (233 records). The deadliest single record is the January 12, 2018 flood: 2 deaths and $5,876 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 18 declarations naming the county since 1967, 16 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on January 24, 2026.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 629on 434 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 633 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $32Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 10strongest EF3
- FEMA declarations
- 18latest 2026
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Wood County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 233 since 1956. 51% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1956 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among West Virginia's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 233 | 153 | 1956-2026 | 0 | 14 | $9.0M | 7 of 53 |
| Hail | 111 | 64 | 1967-2026 | 0 | 0 | $2.3M | 4 of 53 |
| Floods | 93 | 69 | 1996-2026 | 4 | 0 | $15M | 14 of 53 |
| Winter storms | 60 | 60 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $228K | 38 of 53 |
| High wind and dust storms | 34 | 34 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 2 | $200K | 17 of 53 |
| Extreme cold | 32 | 32 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $308K | 20 of 53 |
| Heat | 19 | 19 | 1996-2011 | 0 | 0 | – | 17 of 53 |
| Drought | 16 | 16 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 23 of 53 |
| Lightning | 10 | 10 | 1997-2025 | 0 | 5 | $310K | 1 of 53 |
| Tornadoes | 10 | 10 | 1950-2024 | 1 | 12 | $4.6M | 3 of 53 |
| Heavy rain | 8 | 8 | 1998-2017 | 1 | 0 | – | 26 of 53 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 3 | 2 | 2001-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 12 of 53 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Wood County had?
NOAA records 10 tornadoes in Wood County from 1950 to 2024, the strongest rated EF3, with 1 death and 12 injuries recorded in the county. That is 3rd of 53 West Virginia counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 10 tornadoes whose track touched Wood County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 10, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-09-16 18:00, as SPC files it | CoolvilleCrossed OH, WV | EF3 | 9.05 mi | 1 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in West Virginia.
Every tornado record filed for Wood County (10)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-09 | Herndon, Wood County | EF1 3.4 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 1 | $14K |
| 2015-12-23 | Marrtown, Wood County | EF0 0.18 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $125K |
| 2010-09-16 | Humphrey, Wood County | EF3 6.53 mi x 500 yd | 1 | 10 | $1.4M |
| 2003-07-10 | Lubeck, Wood County | F2 2.5 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.4M |
| 2001-05-21 | Wadeville, Wood County | F0 0.7 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $292K |
| 1998-01-08 | Murphytown, Wood County | F2 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $362K |
| 1989-06-12 | Wood County | F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1968-06-12 | Wood County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $30 step |
| 1951-06-26 | Wood County | F1 | 0 | 1 | – |
| 1950-08-09 | Wood County | F1 5 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Wood County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 18, 2026 flash flood ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-18 | Flash FloodBoreman, Wood County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-18 | Flash FloodBoreman, Wood County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-18 | Flash FloodStewart Airport, Wood County | 0 | 0 | $2K | |
| 2026-06-18 | Flash FloodLubeck, Wood County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindVienna, Wood County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindValley Mills, Wood County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindWalker, Wood County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindWilliamstown, Wood County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2026-05-19 | Thunderstorm WindBelleville, Wood County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtWood County · forecast zone Wood | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtWood County · forecast zone Wood | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | Flash FloodValley Mills, Wood County | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-01-12 | FloodMarrtown, Wood County Numerous roads were flooded across northern Wood County. Worthington Creek came out of its banks east of Parkersburg closing the intersection of Core Road and 36th Street. Old St. Marys Pike was also closed due to flooding on Worthington Creek. Water from Carpenter Run closed portions of Waverly Road near Waverly. ... | 2 | 0 | $6K | |
| 2010-09-16 | TornadoHumphrey, Wood County This tornado originated in northeastern Meigs County Ohio and crossed the Ohio River, just upstream of the lock and dam and the community of Belleville. A small pocket of EF3 damage located along Route 68 in the valley and flood plain along the river. The maximum wind gusts were estimated at 160 mph here. Also, the ... | EF3 6.53 mi x 500 yd | 1 | 10 | $1.4M |
| 2024-04-14 | FloodCedar Grove, Wood County A man drove past high water signs on Nicolette Road. The vehicle became stranded in flood waters and submerged, claiming the life of the occupant. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-04-04 | FloodCedar Grove, Wood County In Davisville, a vehicle drove into flood water occurring within a large dip in the road along Nicolette Road, overturned and submerged. The single occupant was unable to egress. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2017-08-17 | Heavy RainLubeck, Wood County Remove. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1991-04-09 | Thunderstorm WindWood County | 0 | 4 | – | |
| 1984-07-11 | Thunderstorm WindWood County | 0 | 4 | – | |
| 2003-07-10 | Thunderstorm WindParkersburg, Wood County Straight line winds caused localize damage along Avery Street in Parkersburg. One frame house collapsed and several outbuilding were damaged. The 3 residents in the collapsed house were injured slightly. The 11 month son was rescued from under the debris. One resident on Avery Street described the storm by saying, "It ... | 60 kt wind | 0 | 3 | $80K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-06-28 | Flash FloodCountywide, Wood County | 0 | 0 | $7.2M | |
| 2012-06-29 | Thunderstorm WindParkersburg, Wood County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5.1M |
| 2004-09-17 | FloodWood County · forecast zone Wood | 0 | 0 | $3.1M | |
| 2003-07-10 | TornadoLubeck, Wood County | F2 2.5 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.4M |
| 2005-01-06 | FloodWood County · forecast zone Wood | 0 | 0 | $1.5M | |
| 2010-09-16 | TornadoHumphrey, Wood County | EF3 6.53 mi x 500 yd | 1 | 10 | $1.4M |
| 1994-09-25 | HailParkersburg, Wood County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $995K |
| 1998-06-27 | Thunderstorm WindParkersburg, Wood County | 0 | 0 | $815K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $30, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 12, 1968 (tornado, Wood County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Wood County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 2 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 29 | 26 | 43 | 101 |
| Hail | 0 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 30 | 36 | 17 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 9 | 11 | 26 | 47 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 7 | 9 | 21 | 23 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 3 | 11 | 4 | 16 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 12 | 12 | 6 | 2 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
51% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1956 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 55 · Feb 57 · Mar 45 · Apr 81 · May 70 · Jun 107 · Jul 100 · Aug 43 · Sep 17 · Oct 11 · Nov 19 · Dec 24 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Wood County
FEMA's register lists 18 declarations that include Wood County: 12 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (6) and flood (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3639 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2024-05-24 | DR-4787 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2020-04-03 | DR-4517 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3450 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-04-17 | DR-4359 | Mud/Landslide | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2015-08-07 | DR-4236 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2015-03-31 | DR-4210 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2012-10-29 | EM-3358 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2012-07-23 | DR-4071 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2012-06-30 | EM-3345 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3221 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-20 | DR-1558 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| 1998-07-01 | DR-1229 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1997-03-07 | DR-1168 | Flood | Heavy & Wind Driven Rain, High Winds,Flooding,Slides |
| 1996-01-25 | DR-1096 | Flood | Flooding |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1084 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) |
| 1993-03-17 | EM-3109 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm |
| 1967-03-13 | DR-224 | Flood | Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Wood County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 93 flood or flash flood records for Wood County from 1996 to 2026, on 69 days, with 4 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Wood County ranks 339th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $13.2 million on 947 claims filed in Wood County; the most in one year was 182 in 2004. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 30 · 1979: 45 · 1980: 9 · 1981: 9 · 1982: 5 · 1983: 3 · 1984: 38 · 1985: 13 · 1986: 1 · 1989: 10 · 1990: 31 · 1991: 15 · 1992: 2 · 1994: 56 · 1995: 5 · 1996: 67 · 1997: 70 · 1998: 105 · 1999: 3 · 2000: 19 · 2001: 1 · 2002: 4 · 2003: 14 · 2004: 182 · 2005: 113 · 2006: 1 · 2007: 1 · 2008: 2 · 2010: 2 · 2011: 8 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 3 · 2015: 24 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 31 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 12; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Wood County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wood County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $36.8 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $33M | 1.9 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $552K | 47 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $242K | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $682K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $34K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $717K | 3.5 modeled event-days a year |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $188K | once in about 35 years (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $315K | 2.6 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Wood County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in West VirginiaEvery West Virginia tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in West VirginiaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The West Virginia recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Wood CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Wood County's FEMA declarations (CSV)18 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis