Hancock County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Hancock County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.7, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hancock County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 40.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st 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 Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 0.16 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.93 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $77K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 29K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hancock County has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Hancock County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 5 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Hancock County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.16 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $11M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $77K |
| Hail | Low | 3.82 / yr | $256K |
| Lightning | Low | 41.59 / yr | $186K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.56 / yr | $38K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $76K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.95 / yr | $105K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.36 / yr | $207K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $52 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $286K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.11 / yr | $9K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.84 / yr | $31K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Hancock County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Flood (4), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, 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 |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| April 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hancock County?
Hancock County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hancock County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $4K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $11M EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $77K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hancock County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Hancock County ranks #34 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hancock County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Hancock County since 1972, most often 5 for severe storm events and 4 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. Hancock County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.