riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Doddridge County Disaster Risk

Doddridge County, West Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

14th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#52

of 55 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

44th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Doddridge County, West Virginia

Doddridge ranks among safest counties

With a composite risk score of 14.44 and a Very Low rating, Doddridge County faces significantly less natural disaster risk than the typical U.S. county. This score places it well below the national average, making it one of West Virginia's lowest-risk communities.

Second-safest county in West Virginia

Doddridge's composite risk score of 14.44 ranks it among the lowest in the state, where the average is 49.21. Only a handful of West Virginia counties enjoy comparable protection from natural hazards.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Doddridge's score of 14.44 compares favorably to neighboring Gilmer County (11.45) and significantly outperforms Grant County (33.17) and Hancock County (40.68). The county benefits from geography that shields it from major tornado and wildfire activity.

Flood and hurricane exposure most elevated

Doddridge's primary natural disaster risks are flooding (43.58) and hurricane impact (36.71), both moderate concerns for the region. Tornado risk is minimal at 9.86, and wildfire danger is negligible at 10.69.

Flood insurance remains essential protection

Even in low-risk Doddridge, flood coverage protects against the county's most likely hazard, with a flood risk score of 43.58. Standard homeowners insurance won't cover flood damage, making a separate NFIP or private policy a practical safeguard.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Doddridge County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    44th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    37th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    22th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Doddridge County

Risk Verdict

Doddridge County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 14th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 14th percentile, Doddridge County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Doddridge County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 44th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 37th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (22th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile), tornado (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Doddridge County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 44th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. Secondary hurricane exposure at the 37th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Doddridge County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.

Regional Context

Compared to the West Virginia county average, Doddridge County's composite score runs 34.8 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Doddridge County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Doddridge County, WV?
Doddridge County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 14th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Doddridge County?
Doddridge County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (44th percentile), hurricane (37th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile), tornado (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 44th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Doddridge County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
Doddridge County's composite risk percentile is 14th, compared to the West Virginia state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Doddridge County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in West Virginia.
Is Doddridge County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Doddridge County's flooding risk is at the 44th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Doddridge County a safe place to live?
Doddridge County's composite risk score of 14th percentile is below the West Virginia state average of 49th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is flooding at the 44th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.