Brooke County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 54th
Brooke County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 54.2, 54th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Brooke County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 54.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 54th 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.
Most of Brooke County's expected losses come from riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 1.25 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 0.18 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $64K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 23K.
Beyond physical exposure, Brooke County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Brooke County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 5 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Brooke County ranks #26 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.25 / yr | $12M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.18 / yr | $4K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $64K |
| Lightning | Low | 42.38 / yr | $166K |
| Hail | Low | 3.76 / yr | $110K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.57 / yr | $31K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.34 / yr | $229K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $48K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.95 / yr | $82K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.32 / yr | $5K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $205K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $17 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.21 / yr | $4K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.84 / 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 |
Disaster History
Brooke County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Flood (4), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2018 | Mud/Landslide | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| April 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
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 Brooke County?
Brooke County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 54.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 54th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Brooke County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $12M EAL), Landslide (Low, $4K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $64K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Brooke County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Brooke County ranks #26 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Brooke County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Brooke County since 1972, most often 5 for severe storm events and 4 for flood 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. Brooke County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.