Mingo County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Mingo County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.6, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Mingo County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 72.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 73rd 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.
Most of Mingo County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $56K in expected annual loss and about 1.31 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 1.75 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $269K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 24K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mingo County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Mingo County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 16 for severe storm events and 11 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Mingo County ranks #10 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.31 / yr | $56K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.75 / yr | $15M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $269K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.37 / yr | $438K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.63 / yr | $671K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $47K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $142K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.32 / yr | $33K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.04 / yr | $279K |
| Lightning | Low | 48.72 / yr | $84K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.20 / yr | $18K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.14 / yr | $60K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.46 / yr | $88 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $54K |
| 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
Mingo County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Flood (11), 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 |
| May 2021 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 36 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Mingo County?
Mingo County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mingo County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $56K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $15M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $269K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mingo County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Mingo County ranks #10 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mingo County had?
FEMA records 36 federal disaster declarations for Mingo County since 1967, most often 16 for severe storm events and 11 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. Mingo County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.