Grant County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 33th
Grant County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.2, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Grant County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 33.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 33rd 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 Low risk — $26K in expected annual loss and about 0.84 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $644K in expected annual loss and about 2.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Grant 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 federal record bears this out: Grant County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 6 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Grant County ranks #41 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.84 / yr | $26K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.61 / yr | $644K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $258K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.25 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $40K |
| Drought | Low | 4.63 / yr | $74K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 20.20 / yr | $27K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.03 / yr | $105K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $49K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.75 / yr | $294K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 38.70 / yr | $52K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.26 / yr | $35K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $106K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Grant County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (3), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2018 | Severe Storm | 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 |
| April 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Grant County?
Grant County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 33th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Grant County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $26K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $4K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $644K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Grant County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Grant County ranks #41 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Grant County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Grant County since 1977, most often 6 for severe storm events and 3 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. Grant County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.