Raleigh County anchored by Beckley in the southern West Virginia coalfields faces serious flash flooding in Appalachian hollow communities and winter storm vulnerability. 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 risks of the coalfields region. The county is surrounded by communities extremely vulnerable to flash flooding from mountain terrain.
// 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
* We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 6 / 10 Moderate Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Flash Flooding / Winter Storm |
| Secondary Hazard | Mining Hazard |
| FEMA Flood Zone | High |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 8 |
| Last Major Event | 2016 Flooding |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (304) 255-9300 |
| Emergency Shelters | 4 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | I-64 US-19 US-119 WV-3 |
// County Profile
| County | Raleigh County WV |
| State | West Virginia (WV) |
| Population | 73 |
| Area | 607 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | High |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other West Virginia Counties
Nicholas County WV
Flash Flooding / Landslide
8/10
High
Mingo County WV
Flash Flooding / Winter Storm
7/10
Moderate
Clay County WV
Flash Flooding / Winter Storm
7/10
Moderate
Roane County WV
Flash Flooding / Winter Storm
7/10
Moderate
Cabell County WV
Flash Flooding / Tornado
7/10
High
Monongalia County WV
Flash Flooding / Winter Storm
7/10
Moderate