Jackson County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 56th
Jackson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 56.5, 56th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Jackson County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 56.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 56th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $63K in expected annual loss and about 1.20 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 2.14 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $211K in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jackson 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.
History supports the rating: Jackson County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 9 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Jackson County ranks #25 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.20 / yr | $63K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.14 / yr | $14M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $211K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.05 / yr | $440K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $115K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.22 / yr | $156K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $138K |
| Drought | Low | 5.98 / yr | $30K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.70 / yr | $89K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.32 / yr | $22K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $307K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.74 / yr | $179K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $86K |
| Avalanche | 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
Jackson County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| January 2014 | Chemical | Chemical Spill |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jackson County?
Jackson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 56.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 56th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jackson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $63K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $14M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $211K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jackson County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Jackson County ranks #25 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jackson County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Jackson County since 1967, most often 9 for severe storm events and 8 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. Jackson County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.