Wetzel County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Wetzel County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 56.9, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wetzel County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 56.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $42K in expected annual loss and about 0.93 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 1.36 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $65K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wetzel County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Wetzel County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 11 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Wetzel County ranks #23 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $42K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.36 / yr | $15M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $65K |
| Lightning | Low | 44.80 / yr | $162K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $83 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.31 / yr | $25K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.41 / yr | $94K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $13K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.47 / yr | $68K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.47 / yr | $182K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $133K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.19 / yr | $92K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.53 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Wetzel County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (7), 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 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wetzel County?
Wetzel County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 56.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wetzel County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $42K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $15M EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $65K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wetzel County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Wetzel County ranks #23 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wetzel County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Wetzel County since 1972, most often 11 for severe storm events and 7 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. Wetzel County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.