Calhoun County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 17th
Calhoun County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 16.8, 17th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Calhoun County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 16.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 17th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Calhoun County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $47K in expected annual loss and about 0.78 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 1.46 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $33K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Calhoun County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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: Calhoun County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 9 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Calhoun County ranks #50 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.78 / yr | $47K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.46 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $33K |
| Drought | Very Low | 7.48 / yr | $21K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $19K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $33K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.16 / yr | $45K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.90 / yr | $50K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $141K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.84 / yr | $10K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.36 / yr | $39K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.73 / yr | $58K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $19K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $985 |
| 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
Calhoun County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (6), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, 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 |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| March 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Calhoun County?
Calhoun County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 16.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 17th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Calhoun County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $47K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $4M EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $33K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Calhoun County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Calhoun County ranks #50 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Calhoun County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Calhoun County since 1967, most often 9 for severe storm events and 6 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. Calhoun County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.