Wood County
West Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.