Brooke County Disaster Risk
Brooke County, West Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
54th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#26
of 55 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
76th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 16% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 22% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Brooke County, West Virginia
Brooke's risk moderately above national norm
Brooke County's composite risk score of 54.23 earns a Relatively Low rating, sitting modestly above the national average. The county's position in the Northern Panhandle creates exposure to multiple hazard types.
Mid-range risk for West Virginia
Brooke's score of 54.23 slightly exceeds West Virginia's 49.21 average, placing it in the state's moderate-risk tier. The county faces somewhat elevated exposure compared to inland neighbors.
Riskier than Barbour, safer than Berkeley
Brooke faces higher risks than nearby Barbour County (24.01) and Braxton County (36.16), but lower exposure than the more vulnerable Berkeley County (68.26). Its position reflects the transitional hazard environment of northern West Virginia.
Flood risk dominates hazard profile
Brooke's flood risk of 75.67 and hurricane exposure of 52.48 represent the county's primary concerns, related to Ohio River proximity and eastern storm systems. Wildfire and earthquake risks remain modest at 16.29 and 29.29.
Flood insurance highly recommended
Brooke residents near the Ohio River or flood-prone areas should strongly consider separate flood insurance beyond standard homeowners coverage. Comprehensive protection is especially important for properties in vulnerable zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Brooke County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Brooke County
Risk Verdict
Brooke County's FEMA risk score places it at the 54th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Brooke County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (29th percentile), tornado (22th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 76th percentile nationally for flood risk, Brooke County residents benefit from understanding their specific flood zone status. Even one inch of floodwater causes significant structural damage to properties outside officially designated high-risk zones. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 52th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. A tested family preparedness plan specific to Brooke County's primary hazards — including how to shelter in place or evacuate, and who to call — provides more real protection than a general emergency kit sitting unused on a shelf.
Regional Context
The West Virginia county average is 5.0 composite points below Brooke County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Brooke County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Brooke County, WV?
What types of natural hazards affect Brooke County?
How does Brooke County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
Is Brooke County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Brooke County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.