Randolph County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Randolph County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.1, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Randolph County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 57.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $56K in expected annual loss and about 2.39 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $18M in expected annual loss and about 2.00 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 28K.
Beyond physical exposure, Randolph County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Randolph County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 7 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Randolph County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 2.39 / yr | $56K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.00 / yr | $18M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 22.26 / yr | $69K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $75K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.28 / yr | $201K |
| Hail | Low | 1.67 / yr | $156K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $100K |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.08 / yr | $26K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.19 / yr | $202K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $15K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 5.40 / yr | $191K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $53K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Randolph County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (7), Severe Storm (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 |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Randolph County?
Randolph County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Randolph County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $56K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $18M EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $3K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Randolph County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Randolph County ranks #22 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Randolph County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Randolph County since 1967, most often 7 for flood events and 4 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. Randolph County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.