Taylor County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Taylor County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.5, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Taylor County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 23.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 24th 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 Low risk — $24K in expected annual loss and about 0.44 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 1.14 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $46K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Taylor 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 federal record bears this out: Taylor County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1980, including 8 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Taylor County ranks #47 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.44 / yr | $24K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $7M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $46K |
| Hail | Low | 2.05 / yr | $206K |
| Lightning | Low | 44.41 / yr | $118K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $31K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.79 / yr | $18K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $12K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.30 / yr | $119K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $140K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.26 / yr | $29K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.79 / yr | $32K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.60 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Taylor County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1980, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Hurricane (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| March 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Taylor County?
Taylor County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Taylor County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $24K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $7M EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $46K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Taylor County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Taylor County ranks #47 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Taylor County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Taylor County since 1980, most often 8 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane 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. Taylor County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.