Pendleton County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 30th
Pendleton County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.1, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pendleton County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 30.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 30th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $46K in expected annual loss and about 1.73 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $11K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $227K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pendleton County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Pendleton County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Pendleton County ranks #43 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.73 / yr | $46K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $227K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.18 / yr | $9M |
| Drought | Low | 2.59 / yr | $121K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 23.67 / yr | $28K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 7.51 / yr | $368K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.23 / yr | $210K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.82 / yr | $65K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 38.99 / yr | $62K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $6K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $31K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Pendleton County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (4), Hurricane (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, 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 |
| March 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
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 Pendleton County?
Pendleton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pendleton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $46K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $11K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $227K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pendleton County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Pendleton County ranks #43 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pendleton County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Pendleton County since 1977, most often 7 for severe storm events and 4 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. Pendleton County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.