Natural Disaster Risk — ZIP Code 24816
Big Sandy, West Virginia
Risk Summary for ZIP 24816
ZIP 24816 scores 5.5/10 (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: ZIP 24816, West Virginia
ZIP 24816 covers part of the Big Sandy area, in the interior eastern United States. The surrounding region experiences cold winters, warm summers, and mountainous terrain that intensifies flooding, with flash flooding and winter storms shaping the natural hazards that residents of this ZIP code face. Risk scores here are derived from FEMA data for the encompassing county.
FEMA rates ZIP 24816's composite natural disaster risk at 5.5 out of 10 — moderate risk. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Residents should also account for avalanche and cold wave risk in their preparedness planning.
ZIP 24816's risk score, slightly above the 5.0/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA, the highest-scoring are landslide, avalanche, and cold wave. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
With a moderate risk rating, ZIP 24816 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 ZIP 24816: Landslide preparedness
- Watch for warning signs such as new cracks, tilting trees, or changes in water drainage on slopes.
- 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.
Risk for the surrounding area
Local Factors for ZIP 24816
These city-level factors differentiate ZIP 24816 from other communities in West Virginia County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
113
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 37.5°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 7.3/10
Coordinates
37.4614° N, 81.7052° W
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for ZIP 24816
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
Nearby ZIP codes
Other cities in West Virginia
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). County-level data applied to ZIP codes within each county. Scores are normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. This information is for general awareness only — consult official emergency management resources and a licensed insurer for property-specific advice.