Cabell County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Cabell County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.4, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $49M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Cabell County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 85.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 85th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Cabell County's expected losses come from riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $41M in expected annual loss and about 2.79 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 4.68 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $732K in expected annual loss and about 0.44 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $49M in expected annual loss for a population of 94K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cabell County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Cabell County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 13 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Cabell County ranks #2 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.79 / yr | $41M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.68 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.44 / yr | $732K |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $38K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.37 / yr | $149K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.40 / yr | $902K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $777K |
| Lightning | Medium | 48.19 / yr | $432K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $144K |
| Hail | Low | 3.13 / yr | $330K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $132K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.04 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 3.48 / yr | $36K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.84 / yr | $294K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Cabell County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2021 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 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 |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 32 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cabell County?
Cabell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cabell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $41M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $732K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cabell County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Cabell County ranks #2 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cabell County had?
FEMA records 32 federal disaster declarations for Cabell County since 1967, most often 13 for severe storm events and 7 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. Cabell County's $49M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.