Natural Disaster Risk in Big Creek
West Virginia
Risk Summary for Big Creek
Big Creek scores 5.3/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Landslide.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Big Creek, West Virginia
Located in the interior eastern United States in Lincoln County, Big Creek is a small unincorporated community. The humid continental climate that characterizes this part of West Virginia — marked by cold winters, warm summers, and mountainous terrain that intensifies flooding — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Big Creek a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.
Big Creek's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.3/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. Secondary hazards include avalanche and heat.
Relative to other U.S. communities, Big Creek's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, near the 5.0/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by landslide and avalanche, as measured by FEMA across Lincoln County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.
With a moderate risk rating, Big Creek residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for landslide is recommended.
What this means for Big Creek: Landslide preparedness
- Standard insurance generally excludes landslide and earth-movement damage — ask about specialized coverage.
- Have an evacuation plan ready during periods of intense or prolonged rainfall.
- Watch for warning signs such as new cracks, tilting trees, or changes in water drainage on slopes.
Local Factors for Big Creek
These city-level factors differentiate Big Creek from other communities in Lincoln County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
380
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 38.0°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 7.5/10
Coordinates
38.0197° N, 82.0307° W
Lincoln County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Big Creek
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Big Creek
Other cities in West Virginia
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.