Ohio County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
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
Risk Overview
Ohio County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 69.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 70th 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 riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $30M in expected annual loss and about 1.39 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $11K in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $352K in expected annual loss and about 43.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $32M in expected annual loss for a population of 42K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ohio County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Ohio County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 7 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Ohio County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
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 |
Disaster History
Ohio County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (7), Severe Storm (7), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| April 2018 | Mud/Landslide | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Ohio County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Ohio County since 1972, most often 7 for flood events and 7 for severe storm 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. Ohio County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.