Jefferson County
West Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 48th
Jefferson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.8, 48th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 4.40 / yr | $906K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.09 / yr | $660K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 7.13 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.93 / yr | $13M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $658K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.69 / yr | $747K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.06 / yr | $102K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Low | 37.58 / yr | $279K |
| Hail | Low | 3.71 / yr | $274K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.13 / yr | $908K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $46 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.66 / yr | $11K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.79 / yr | $146K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jefferson County?
Jefferson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 48th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jefferson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $906K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $660K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jefferson County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Jefferson County ranks #29 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Jefferson County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.