Tyler County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 36th
Tyler County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.6, 36th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Tyler County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 35.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 36th 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 Tyler County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $16K in expected annual loss and about 0.64 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 2.18 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Low risk — $344K in expected annual loss and about 1.14 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Tyler County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Tyler County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1985, including 10 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, Tyler County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.64 / yr | $16K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.18 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.14 / yr | $344K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $41K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.24 / yr | $131K |
| Drought | Low | 3.34 / yr | $22K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.32 / yr | $23K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.37 / yr | $53K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.74 / yr | $44K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.16 / yr | $8K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $84K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.53 / yr | $84K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Tyler County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1985, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (6), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| April 2018 | Mud/Landslide | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Tyler County?
Tyler County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 36th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Tyler County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $16K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $6M EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $344K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Tyler County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Tyler County ranks #38 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Tyler County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Tyler County since 1985, most often 10 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. Tyler County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.