Mercer County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Mercer County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.2, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Mercer County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 65.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 65th 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 1.26 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 4.32 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 2.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 60K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mercer County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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 federal record bears this out: Mercer County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 12 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Mercer County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $44K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.32 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.11 / yr | $14M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.69 / yr | $133K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $639K |
| Lightning | Medium | 44.09 / yr | $311K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $77K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.72 / yr | $467K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $55K |
| Hail | Low | 3.22 / yr | $126K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.49 / yr | $30K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $9K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $138K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2 |
| 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
Mercer County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (4), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| December 2024 | Tropical Storm | Post-Tropical Storm Helene |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Mercer County?
Mercer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 65.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mercer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $44K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mercer County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Mercer County ranks #18 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mercer County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Mercer County since 1967, most often 12 for severe storm events and 4 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. Mercer County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.