Lewis County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Lewis County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.7, 44th 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 Lewis County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 43.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 44th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $44K in expected annual loss and about 1.01 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 1.57 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $50K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lewis 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: Lewis 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, Lewis County ranks #32 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.01 / yr | $44K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.57 / yr | $11M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $50K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.74 / yr | $149K |
| Drought | Low | 3.83 / yr | $31K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $397K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.88 / yr | $96K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.79 / yr | $24K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.89 / yr | $52K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $29 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.77 / yr | $99K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $73K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Lewis 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), Hurricane (3).
| 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 |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| November 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 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 Lewis County?
Lewis County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 43.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lewis County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $44K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $11M EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $50K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lewis County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Lewis County ranks #32 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lewis County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Lewis 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. Lewis County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.