Harrison County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Harrison County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 73.6, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $28M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Harrison County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 73.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 74th 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.
Risk here concentrates in riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $25M in expected annual loss and about 2.79 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $25K in expected annual loss and about 1.07 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $589K in expected annual loss and about 2.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $28M in expected annual loss for a population of 66K.
Beyond physical exposure, Harrison County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Harrison County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 10 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Harrison County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.79 / yr | $25M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.07 / yr | $25K |
| Hail | Medium | 2.03 / yr | $589K |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.57 / yr | $493K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $194K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.53 / yr | $75K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $265K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.15 / yr | $80K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.08 / yr | $409K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.89 / yr | $194K |
| Drought | Low | 2.93 / yr | $37K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.05 / yr | $588K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.58 / yr | $158K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8 |
| 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
Harrison County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, 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 |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | 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 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Harrison County?
Harrison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 73.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Harrison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $25M EAL), Landslide (Low, $25K EAL), Hail (Medium, $589K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Harrison County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Harrison County ranks #9 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Harrison County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Harrison County since 1967, most often 10 for severe storm events and 6 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. Harrison County's $28M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.