Nicholas County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 58th
Nicholas County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.2, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Nicholas County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 58.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 58th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $44K in expected annual loss and about 1.71 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 2.19 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $5K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Nicholas County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Nicholas County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 10 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, Nicholas County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.71 / yr | $44K |
| Cold Wave | High | 2.19 / yr | $5M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Medium | 46.59 / yr | $284K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.43 / yr | $59K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $36K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $105K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.14 / yr | $31K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.31 / yr | $99K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.88 / yr | $208K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.85 / yr | $11K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $42K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Nicholas County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (5), Hurricane (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| November 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 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 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Nicholas County?
Nicholas County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nicholas County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $44K EAL), Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Avalanche (Low, $5K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nicholas County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Nicholas County ranks #20 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Nicholas County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Nicholas County since 1967, most often 10 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. Nicholas County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.