Roane County
West Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Roane County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.0, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.40 / yr | $76K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.25 / yr | $9M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.20 / yr | $86K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $58K |
| Drought | Low | 5.71 / yr | $58K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.68 / yr | $147K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $59K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.23 / yr | $74K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.66 / yr | $200K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.84 / yr | $20K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.84 / yr | $250K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.65 / yr | $43K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $34K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3 |
| 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 Roane County?
Roane County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.0 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 Roane County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $76K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $9M EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $86K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Roane County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Roane County ranks #30 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. Roane County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.