Wood County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 80th
Wood County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 79.8, 80th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $37M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Wood County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 79.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 80th 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 Wood County's expected losses come from riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $33M in expected annual loss and about 1.89 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $34K in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $552K in expected annual loss and about 46.60 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $37M in expected annual loss for a population of 84K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wood County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Wood County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Wood County ranks #4 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.89 / yr | $33M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.80 / yr | $34K |
| Lightning | Medium | 46.60 / yr | $552K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $242K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.53 / yr | $717K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.86 / yr | $682K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $188K |
| Hail | Low | 2.61 / yr | $315K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $291K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.26 / yr | $31K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.06 / yr | $534K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.95 / yr | $16K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.32 / yr | $146K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Wood County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, 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 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wood County?
Wood County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 79.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 80th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wood County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $33M EAL), Landslide (Low, $34K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $552K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wood County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Wood County ranks #4 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wood County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Wood County since 1967, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 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. Wood County's $37M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.