Pendleton County
West Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.