Upshur County
West Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.