Roane County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Roane County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.0, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Roane County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 45.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 45th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $76K in expected annual loss and about 1.40 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 2.25 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $86K in expected annual loss and about 0.20 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Roane County has a very 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 federal record bears this out: Roane County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 10 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Roane County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.40 / yr | $76K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.25 / yr | $9M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.20 / yr | $86K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $58K |
| Drought | Low | 5.71 / yr | $58K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.68 / yr | $147K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $59K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.23 / yr | $74K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.66 / yr | $200K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.84 / yr | $20K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.84 / yr | $250K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.65 / yr | $43K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $34K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3 |
| 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
Roane County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (7), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| January 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| January 2014 | Chemical | Chemical Spill |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Roane County?
Roane County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Roane County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $76K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $9M EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $86K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Roane County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Roane County ranks #30 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Roane County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Roane County since 1993, most often 10 for severe storm events and 7 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. Roane County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.