Gilmer County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 11th
Gilmer County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 11.5, 11th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Gilmer County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 11.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 11th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $62K in expected annual loss and about 0.93 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $40K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 1.64 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gilmer County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low 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 federal record bears this out: Gilmer County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 10 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, Gilmer County ranks #54 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $62K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $40K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.64 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | Very Low | 6.66 / yr | $10K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $33 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.91 / yr | $64K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.58 / yr | $38K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $154K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.15 / yr | $43K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.58 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $70K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $18K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $604 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $442 |
| 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
Gilmer County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (7), Biological (2).
| 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 |
| June 2016 | Flood | 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 |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gilmer County?
Gilmer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 11.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 11th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gilmer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $62K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $40K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gilmer County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Gilmer County ranks #54 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gilmer County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Gilmer County since 1967, most often 10 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. Gilmer County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.