Upshur County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Upshur County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.8, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Upshur County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 44.8 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.
Most of Upshur County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $48K in expected annual loss and about 0.92 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 1.79 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $254K in expected annual loss and about 46.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 24K.
Beyond physical exposure, Upshur County has a 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: Upshur County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 7 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Upshur County ranks #31 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.92 / yr | $48K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.79 / yr | $10M |
| Lightning | Medium | 46.51 / yr | $254K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $50K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.74 / yr | $637K |
| Drought | Low | 3.71 / yr | $66K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.95 / yr | $39K |
| Hail | Low | 1.66 / yr | $116K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $82K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $85 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.03 / yr | $24K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.77 / yr | $137K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $87K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $17K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Upshur County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (5), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, 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 |
| May 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Upshur County?
Upshur County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.8 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 Upshur County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $48K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $10M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $254K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Upshur County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Upshur County ranks #31 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Upshur County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Upshur County since 1967, most often 7 for severe storm events and 5 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. Upshur County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.