Ohio County

West Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

69.8

National percentile: 70th

Ohio County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.8, 70th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $32M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 42K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Riverine Flood
Medium $30M/yr
Landslide
Low $11K/yr
Lightning
Medium $352K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Riverine Flood Medium 1.39 / yr $30M
Landslide Low 0.24 / yr $11K
Lightning Medium 43.02 / yr $352K
Hurricane Very Low 0.02 / yr $99K
Hail Low 3.26 / yr $275K
Ice Storm Low 0.55 / yr $56K
Tornado Low 0.03 / yr $693K
Heat Wave Very Low 2.16 / yr $171K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $73K
Drought Very Low 3.60 / yr $18K
Strong Wind Low 1.97 / yr $240K
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr $22
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $6K
Cold Wave Very Low 2.68 / yr $40K
Winter Weather Very Low 10.00 / yr $4K
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Tsunami Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr $0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ohio County?

Ohio County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 70th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Ohio County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $30M EAL), Landslide (Low, $11K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $352K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Ohio County compare to other West Virginia counties?

Ohio County ranks #13 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.

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. Ohio County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.