Barbour County
West Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Barbour County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.0, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.84 / yr | $36K |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.34 / yr | $302K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.43 / yr | $7M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $56K |
| Drought | Low | 3.86 / yr | $54K |
| Hail | Low | 1.76 / yr | $151K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.85 / yr | $24K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $40K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.74 / yr | $240K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $25 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.02 / yr | $143K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $80K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $5K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $16K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Barbour County?
Barbour County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Barbour County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $36K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $302K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Barbour County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Barbour County ranks #46 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Barbour County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.