Greenbrier County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Greenbrier County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.8, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Greenbrier County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 75.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Greenbrier County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at High risk — $979K in expected annual loss and about 2.51 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 5.56 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $18M in expected annual loss and about 1.82 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 33K.
Beyond physical exposure, Greenbrier County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Greenbrier County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 9 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Greenbrier County ranks #7 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | High | 2.51 / yr | $979K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 5.56 / yr | $5M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.82 / yr | $18M |
| Lightning | Medium | 43.03 / yr | $537K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 21.86 / yr | $120K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $52K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $274K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $76K |
| Hail | Low | 2.61 / yr | $164K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.47 / yr | $277K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.29 / yr | $26K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.36 / yr | $11K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $78K |
| Heat Wave | 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
Greenbrier County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Severe Storm (7), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, 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 |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Greenbrier County?
Greenbrier County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Greenbrier County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (High, $979K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $18M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Greenbrier County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Greenbrier County ranks #7 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Greenbrier County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Greenbrier County since 1967, most often 9 for flood events and 7 for severe storm 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. Greenbrier County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.