Berkeley County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 68th
Berkeley County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.3, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Berkeley County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 68.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 68th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.02 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $25M in expected annual loss and about 2.50 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $35M in expected annual loss for a population of 122K.
Beyond physical exposure, Berkeley County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Berkeley County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Berkeley County ranks #15 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 6.02 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.50 / yr | $25M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.39 / yr | $13K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.58 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 13.63 / yr | $171K |
| Drought | Medium | 4.01 / yr | $627K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $825K |
| Hail | Low | 3.16 / yr | $558K |
| Lightning | Medium | 37.44 / yr | $399K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.63 / yr | $48K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $30 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.89 / yr | $195K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Berkeley County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Hurricane (3), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| April 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| September 2003 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Berkeley County?
Berkeley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Berkeley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $3M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $25M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Berkeley County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Berkeley County ranks #15 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Berkeley County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Berkeley County since 1972, most often 6 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
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. Berkeley County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.