Cabell County
West Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Cabell County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.4, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $49M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.79 / yr | $41M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.68 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.44 / yr | $732K |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $38K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.37 / yr | $149K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.40 / yr | $902K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $777K |
| Lightning | Medium | 48.19 / yr | $432K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $144K |
| Hail | Low | 3.13 / yr | $330K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $132K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.04 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 3.48 / yr | $36K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.84 / yr | $294K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cabell County?
Cabell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cabell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $41M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $732K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cabell County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Cabell County ranks #2 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Cabell County's $49M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.