The Town Files

23 Small Towns in West Virginia With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950

Ranked by tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950 among 49 towns of 500–10,000 people in West Virginia. #1 is Bluefield, WV (0 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950).

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Numbers match the ranking.

  1. 23Hooverson Heights, West Virginia

    4 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Hooverson Heights is a community of 2,582 people in Brooke County, West Virginia. 4 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an EF2 on October 21, 2021.

    2,582 people · Brooke County · median home $154,600 · income $60,781 · Jan low 19°F · 25 in snow

    Full Hooverson Heights, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Hooverson Heights by decade'50'601'701'80'90'00'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  2. 22Follansbee, West Virginia

    4 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Follansbee is a city of 2,848 people in Brooke County, West Virginia. 4 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an EF2 on October 21, 2021.

    2,848 people · Brooke County · median home $133,900 · income $58,371 · Jan low 19°F · 25 in snow

    Full Follansbee, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Follansbee by decade'50'60'702'80'90'00'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  3. 21Fayetteville, West Virginia

    4 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Fayetteville is a town of 2,887 people in Fayette County, West Virginia. 4 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an EF2 on April 2, 2024.

    2,887 people · Fayette County · median home $184,000 · income $67,623 · Jan low 23°F · 56 in snow

    Full Fayetteville, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Fayetteville by decade'501'60'70'801'90'00'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  4. 20Lewisburg, West Virginia

    4 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Lewisburg is a city of 3,922 people in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. 4 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F2 on June 22, 1990.

    3,922 people · Greenbrier County · median home $334,900 · income $49,560 · Jan low 20°F · 30 in snow

    Full Lewisburg, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Lewisburg by decade'501'601'70'802'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  5. 19Philippi, West Virginia

    3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Philippi is a city of 2,929 people in Barbour County, West Virginia. 3 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an EF1 on June 22, 2026.

    2,929 people · Barbour County · median home $114,500 · income $45,879 · Jan low 20°F · 47 in snow

    Full Philippi, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Philippi by decade'50'60'70'80'90'001'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  6. 18Ravenswood, West Virginia

    3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Ravenswood is a city of 3,865 people in Jackson County, West Virginia. 3 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F2 on March 13, 1967.

    3,865 people · Jackson County · median home $97,600 · income $34,241 · Jan low 22°F · 15 in snow

    Full Ravenswood, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Ravenswood by decade'502'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  7. 17Weston, West Virginia

    3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Weston is a city of 3,952 people in Lewis County, West Virginia. 3 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F2 on March 7, 1956.

    3,952 people · Lewis County · median home $105,300 · income $52,070 · Jan low 21°F · 24 in snow

    Full Weston, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Weston by decade1'50'601'701'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  8. 16Sissonville, West Virginia

    3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Sissonville is a community of 4,084 people in Kanawha County, West Virginia. 3 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an EF2 on April 2, 2024.

    4,084 people · Kanawha County · median home $180,800 · income $66,944 · Jan low 20°F · 32 in snow

    Full Sissonville, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Sissonville by decade'50'60'701'80'90'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  9. 15New Martinsville, West Virginia

    3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    New Martinsville is a city of 5,204 people in Wetzel County, West Virginia. 3 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F1 on April 28, 2002.

    5,204 people · Wetzel County · median home $128,300 · income $60,946 · Jan low 20°F · 24 in snow

    Full New Martinsville, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of New Martinsville by decade'50'60'70'801'902'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  10. 14Moorefield, West Virginia

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Moorefield is a town of 2,524 people in Hardy County, West Virginia. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F0 on August 9, 1998.

    2,524 people · Hardy County · median home $125,000 · income $49,063 · Jan low 20°F · 21 in snow

    Full Moorefield, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Moorefield by decade'50'60'70'802'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  11. 13Paden City, West Virginia

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Paden City is a city of 2,541 people in Wetzel County, West Virginia. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F1 on May 23, 2000.

    2,541 people · Wetzel County · median home $103,200 · income $66,101 · Jan low 20°F · 25 in snow

    Full Paden City, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Paden City by decade'50'60'70'801'901'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  12. 12Madison, West Virginia

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Madison is a city of 2,913 people in Boone County, West Virginia. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an EF1 on March 2, 2012.

    2,913 people · Boone County · median home $147,900 · income $58,872 · Jan low 25°F · 17 in snow

    Full Madison, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Madison by decade'50'601'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  13. 11Ripley, West Virginia

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Ripley is a city of 3,079 people in Jackson County, West Virginia. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F1 on July 19, 1963.

    3,079 people · Jackson County · median home $121,800 · income $41,518 · Jan low 22°F · 12 in snow

    Full Ripley, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Ripley by decade'501'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  14. 10Welch, West Virginia

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Welch, West Virginia
    Photo: Wikimedia Commons (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Welch is a city of 3,590 people in McDowell County, West Virginia. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F1 on May 12, 1975.

    3,590 people · McDowell County · median home $57,300 · income $32,969 · Jan low 25°F · 24 in snow

    Full Welch, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Welch by decade'50'602'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  15. 9Keyser, West Virginia

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Keyser is a city of 4,864 people in Mineral County, West Virginia. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F2 on June 2, 1998.

    4,864 people · Mineral County · median home $143,000 · income $46,955 · Jan low 21°F · 34 in snow

    Full Keyser, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Keyser by decade'50'60'70'802'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  16. 8Princeton, West Virginia

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Princeton is a city of 5,872 people in Mercer County, West Virginia. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F2 on April 12, 1965.

    5,872 people · Mercer County · median home $120,300 · income $43,900 · Jan low 24°F · 24 in snow

    Full Princeton, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Princeton by decade'501'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  17. 7Elkins, West Virginia

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Elkins is a city of 6,934 people in Randolph County, West Virginia. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F1 on July 9, 1980.

    6,934 people · Randolph County · median home $152,700 · income $44,217 · Jan low 20°F · 69 in snow

    Full Elkins, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Elkins by decade1'50'60'701'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  18. 6Moundsville, West Virginia

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Moundsville is a city of 8,093 people in Marshall County, West Virginia. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F1 on January 9, 1998.

    8,093 people · Marshall County · median home $118,600 · income $49,048 · Jan low 20°F · 16 in snow

    Full Moundsville, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Moundsville by decade'50'60'701'801'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  19. 5Oak Hill, West Virginia

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Oak Hill is a city of 8,179 people in Fayette County, West Virginia. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F2 on February 25, 1961.

    8,179 people · Fayette County · median home $118,700 · income $52,466 · Jan low 23°F · 51 in snow

    Full Oak Hill, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Oak Hill by decade'501'60'70'80'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  20. 4Summersville, West Virginia

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Summersville is a city of 3,431 people in Nicholas County, West Virginia. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an F1 on March 14, 1967.

    3,431 people · Nicholas County · median home $230,000 · income $56,571 · Jan low 21°F · 68 in snow

    Full Summersville, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Summersville by decade'501'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  21. 3Buckhannon, West Virginia

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Buckhannon is a city of 5,186 people in Upshur County, West Virginia. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5); the strongest was an EF1 on July 27, 2014.

    5,186 people · Upshur County · median home $158,100 · income $54,615 · Jan low 21°F · 39 in snow

    Full Buckhannon, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Buckhannon by decade'50'60'70'80'90'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  22. 2Williamson, West Virginia

    0 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Williamson is a city of 3,083 people in Mingo County, West Virginia. No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5).

    3,083 people · Mingo County · median home $89,600 · income $21,875 · Jan low 26°F · 13 in snow

    Full Williamson, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Williamson by decade'50'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  23. 1Bluefield, West Virginia

    0 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Bluefield is a city of 9,658 people in Mercer County, West Virginia. No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles since 1950 (typical West Virginia town: 5).

    9,658 people · Mercer County · median home $105,400 · income $49,375 · Jan low 22°F · 40 in snow

    Full Bluefield, West Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Bluefield by decade'50'60'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

More West Virginia rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 49 towns of 500–10,000 people in West Virginia (2020 Census population). Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources: