Mineral County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Mineral County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.8, 53th 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
Mineral County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 52.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 53rd 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 Low risk — $31K in expected annual loss and about 0.67 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 1.36 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $1K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mineral 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 federal record bears this out: Mineral County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 5 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Mineral County ranks #28 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.67 / yr | $31K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.36 / yr | $13M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $169K |
| Drought | Low | 3.46 / yr | $132K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.71 / yr | $49K |
| Hail | Low | 2.16 / yr | $162K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.50 / yr | $137K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.79 / yr | $274K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $80K |
| Lightning | Low | 38.17 / yr | $96K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.33 / yr | $15K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $180K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.97 / yr | $116K |
| 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
Mineral County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Hurricane (3), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| April 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2003 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Record/Near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Mineral County?
Mineral County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mineral County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $31K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $13M EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $1K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mineral County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Mineral County ranks #28 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mineral County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Mineral County since 1967, most often 5 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane 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. Mineral County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.