Doddridge County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 14th
Doddridge County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.4, 14th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Doddridge County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 14.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 14th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $58K in expected annual loss and about 0.87 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 1.57 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $25K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Doddridge County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Doddridge County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 10 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Doddridge County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $58K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.57 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $25K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $34K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.24 / yr | $67K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.29 / yr | $55K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.26 / yr | $33K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.74 / yr | $10K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $65K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.93 / yr | $60K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.58 / yr | $22K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.88 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Doddridge County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (5), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 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 |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
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 Doddridge County?
Doddridge County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 14th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Doddridge County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $58K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $6M EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $25K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Doddridge County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Doddridge County ranks #52 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Doddridge County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Doddridge County since 1967, most often 10 for severe storm events and 5 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. Doddridge County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.