Preston County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Preston County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.8, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Preston County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 33.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th 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.
Most of Preston County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $27K in expected annual loss and about 1.26 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 — $8M in expected annual loss and about 2.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Preston 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Preston County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 8 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Preston County ranks #40 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.26 / yr | $27K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.00 / yr | $8M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 23.82 / yr | $66K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $103K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.78 / yr | $487K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.15 / yr | $164K |
| Hail | Low | 1.95 / yr | $122K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.54 / yr | $18K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $353K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.35 / yr | $22K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $43K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.19 / yr | $155K |
| 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
Preston County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (6), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| August 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2018 | Mud/Landslide | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2017 | 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Preston County?
Preston County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Preston County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $27K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $2K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Preston County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Preston County ranks #40 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Preston County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Preston County since 1972, most often 8 for severe storm events and 6 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. Preston County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.