Hardy County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 42th
Hardy County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 42.5, 42th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hardy County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 42.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 42nd 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.
Most of Hardy County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $45K in expected annual loss and about 1.26 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $618K in expected annual loss and about 0.04 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hardy 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: Hardy County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 6 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, Hardy County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $45K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $618K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.36 / yr | $9M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $57K |
| Drought | Low | 3.79 / yr | $136K |
| Hail | Low | 2.23 / yr | $131K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.59 / yr | $430K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 14.15 / yr | $29K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $79K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.22 / yr | $246K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 37.61 / yr | $62K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.79 / yr | $53K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $134K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.41 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Hardy County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (4), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hardy County?
Hardy County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 42.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 42th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hardy County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $45K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $618K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $3K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hardy County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Hardy County ranks #33 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hardy County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Hardy County since 1967, most often 6 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. Hardy County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.