Summers County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Summers County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.2, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Summers County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 40.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th 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 — $29K in expected annual loss and about 0.98 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.37 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Summers County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Summers County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 9 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, Summers County ranks #35 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.98 / yr | $29K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.37 / yr | $2M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.89 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 19.11 / yr | $32K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $22K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.73 / yr | $99K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $64K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.93 / yr | $11K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.43 / yr | $119K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $8K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.00 / yr | $28K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $22K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2 |
| 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
Summers County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Summers County?
Summers County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 40.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Summers County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $29K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Avalanche (Low, $3K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Summers County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Summers County ranks #35 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Summers County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Summers County since 1967, most often 9 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. Summers County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.