West Virginia gets roughly seven to eight more inches of snow and rain each year than the national average. The state’s climate near the eastern panhandle, which is close to the Atlantic Coast, is similar to the climate of neighboring coastal areas.
The Mountain State is hot and humid in the summer and has cold winters with significant snowfall, particularly in the mountain ranges like the Alleghenies.
Although rainfall is higher than average and the temperatures may reach record highs into the 100s, West Virginia experiences minimal tornadic activity or hurricane force winds.
While West Virginia has fewer extreme weather events than neighboring states, torrential rainfall, tornadoes, and blizzards have left a significant mark on the state.
Between 1950 and 2017, there have been a total of 148 tornadoes in West Virginia with 15 fatalities and nearly 300 injuries reported. The longest path of a tornado was approximately 85 miles, and the widest path was 1,580 yards. West Virginia has an average of two tornadoes every year.
Many people assume that due to its topography (of mountainous terrain) that the risk of tornadic activity is low. West Virginia has fewer tornadoes than other states, but the climate may be just
right for an unexpected twister.
Heavy rainfalls are more prevalent and problematic throughout West Virginia. In May of 1994 1.5 to 3.5 inches of rain fell within 24 hours from the Kanawha Valley to the northeast part of the
state. Four fatalities were a direct result of people driving on gravel roads at night that were flooded.
Other common hazards that result from heavy rainfall include flash flooding, mud and rock slides, and fallen trees due to the fast-moving water changing the topography of steep slopes in
the mountainous ranges.
There are more than 150,000 West Virginia residents living in areas that are high-risk for inland flooding. As annual rainfall continues to increase above the national average, issues related to flooding (such as structural damage and even displacement) may be more likely.
The West Virginia Essential Property Insurance Association, also known as the FAIR Plan, is designed to offer essential property insurance to homeowners who may not qualify for insurance
through the voluntary market.
While the FAIR Plan is the last resort for many homeowners, it may not be your only option. Insurance coverage through the private insurance marketplace may be an alternative to the West Virginia FAIR Plan that may be right for you and protecting your most valuable assets.