Beckley in southern West Virginia serves as the regional hub for the coalfields region and faces flash flooding and serious winter storm risk. The city sits on a plateau in the Appalachian coalfields with surrounding hollow communities extremely vulnerable to flash flooding. The Upper Big Branch Mine disaster in 2010 just south of Beckley killed 29 miners — the worst US coal mining disaster in 40 years — highlighting the industrial emergency risks of the region.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 5 / 10 Moderate |
| Primary Hazard | Flash Flooding / Winter Storm |
| FEMA Flood Zone | High |
| County FEMA Declarations | 8 |
| Last Major Event | 2016 Flooding |
// Emergency Information
| Emergency Phone | (304) 256-1734 |
| Evacuation Routes | I-64 US-19 US-119 WV-3 |
| Elevation | 2504 ft above sea level |
// County Risk Profile
Raleigh County WV
West Virginia · Flash Flooding / Winter Storm
View full county emergency preparedness profile →
6/10
Moderate Risk