Pocahontas County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Pocahontas County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.5, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Pocahontas County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 27.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $42K in expected annual loss and about 2.26 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 1.36 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pocahontas County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Pocahontas County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 6 for flood events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Pocahontas County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 2.26 / yr | $42K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.36 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | Low | 41.25 / yr | $184K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.32 / yr | $672K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $46K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 22.49 / yr | $27K |
| Drought | Low | 2.60 / yr | $29K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.96 / yr | $49K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.41 / yr | $99K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $7K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $18K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Pocahontas County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Severe Storm (5), Hurricane (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2016 | Flood | 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 |
| April 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| 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 Pocahontas County?
Pocahontas County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pocahontas County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $42K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $2K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pocahontas County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Pocahontas County ranks #45 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pocahontas County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Pocahontas County since 1967, most often 6 for flood events and 5 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. Pocahontas County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.