Marion County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
Marion County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.5, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $30M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Marion County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 71.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 72nd 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 Low risk — $35K in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $27M in expected annual loss and about 2.36 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $516K in expected annual loss and about 2.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $30M in expected annual loss for a population of 56K.
Beyond physical exposure, Marion County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Marion County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 9 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Marion County ranks #11 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.80 / yr | $35K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.36 / yr | $27M |
| Hail | Low | 2.11 / yr | $516K |
| Lightning | Medium | 44.59 / yr | $419K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $181K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.27 / yr | $508K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.27 / yr | $52K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $169K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.20 / yr | $56K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.21 / yr | $203K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.05 / yr | $530K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.58 / yr | $15K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $174K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $17 |
| 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
Marion County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (5), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| March 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
| April 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and |
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 Marion County?
Marion County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 72th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Marion County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $35K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $27M EAL), Hail (Low, $516K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Marion County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Marion County ranks #11 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Marion County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Marion County since 1967, most often 9 for severe storm events and 5 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. Marion County's $30M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.