Mason County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Mason County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.4, 57th 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 Mason County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 57.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th 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 — $35K in expected annual loss and about 0.95 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 2.07 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $700K in expected annual loss and about 4.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mason County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Mason County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 7 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, Mason County ranks #21 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.95 / yr | $35K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.07 / yr | $13M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.42 / yr | $700K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.42 / yr | $133K |
| Drought | Low | 4.69 / yr | $210K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $123K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $154K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.00 / yr | $141K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.75 / yr | $98K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.79 / yr | $22K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $220K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.78 / yr | $145K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $125K |
| 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
Mason County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2018 | Mud/Landslide | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Mason County?
Mason County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mason County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $35K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $13M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $700K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mason County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Mason County ranks #21 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mason County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Mason County since 1967, most often 7 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. Mason County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.