McDowell County
West Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
McDowell County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.7, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.78 / yr | $78K |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.84 / yr | $5M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.79 / yr | $14M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.06 / yr | $578K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $94K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $236K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $70K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.87 / yr | $88K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.16 / yr | $15K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.08 / yr | $49K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $7K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $15K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $44K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.61 / 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 McDowell County?
McDowell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McDowell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $78K EAL), Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McDowell County compare to other West Virginia counties?
McDowell County ranks #6 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. McDowell County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.