Monroe County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Monroe County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.3, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Monroe County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 28.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Monroe County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $36K in expected annual loss and about 1.27 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.63 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $499 in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Monroe 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: Monroe County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 5 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, Monroe County ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.27 / yr | $36K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.63 / yr | $1M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $499 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $33K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.25 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $33K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $134K |
| Lightning | Low | 42.29 / yr | $112K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.74 / yr | $30K |
| Drought | Low | 0.96 / yr | $28K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.92 / yr | $148K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.23 / yr | $43K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.35 / yr | $7K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $41K |
| Heat Wave | 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
Monroe County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, 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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| November 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, 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 Monroe County?
Monroe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Monroe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $36K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $499 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Monroe County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Monroe County ranks #44 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Monroe County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Monroe County since 1967, most often 5 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. Monroe County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.