Assessing Flood Resilience in West Virginia Communities Using Socioeconomic and Physical Vulnerability Indicators: Implications for Sustainable Planning

Flooding is one of the most persistent and destructive natural hazards in West Virginia. However, community-scale assessments that connect social vulnerability with physical flood vulnerability are still limited. Existing floodplain management plans often focus on infrastructure and hydrology, overlooking how socioeconomic disparities shape resilience. This study assesses flood resilience in West Virginia communities by connecting socioeconomic vulnerability with physical flood vulnerability. Using data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and state floodplain maps, we developed a Socioeconomic Vulnerability Index (SEVI) and combined it with physical indicators, such as the percentage of residential buildings in the 100-year floodplain, the share of mobile homes in flood-prone areas, the presence of essential facilities and community assets within flood zones, and the proportion of roads submerged by at least one foot of water. Incorporated and unincorporated communities were analyzed separately to reflect differences in governance and service capacity. The results reveal that high flood vulnerability areas often coincide with high socioeconomic vulnerability, especially in the southern and southeastern counties, where long-term economic decline has increased risks. Communities like McDowell and Mingo face a combined challenge of social and physical vulnerability, adding pressure to populations already dealing with limited resources. These findings emphasize the importance of integrated resilience planning that combines physical protection with social support. Considering the increasing intensity of extreme precipitation events associated with climate change, these findings also highlight the importance of incorporating long-term climate considerations into flood resilience planning. Policy suggestions include expanding targeted flood insurance subsidies for low-income households, prioritizing the relocation or retrofitting of mobile homes and essential facilities, investing in green and open spaces, and encouraging community-based mitigation strategies. Together, these actions can lower long-term flood risks while addressing structural inequalities that make certain populations more vulnerable.