Nicholas County
West Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 58th
Nicholas County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.2, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.71 / yr | $44K |
| Cold Wave | High | 2.19 / yr | $5M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Medium | 46.59 / yr | $284K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.43 / yr | $59K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $36K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $105K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.14 / yr | $31K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.31 / yr | $99K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.88 / yr | $208K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.85 / yr | $11K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $42K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $9K |
| 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 Nicholas County?
Nicholas County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nicholas County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $44K EAL), Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Avalanche (Low, $5K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nicholas County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Nicholas County ranks #20 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. Nicholas County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.