Fayette County Disaster Risk
Fayette County, West Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
53th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#27
of 55 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
73th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 50% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 42% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Fayette County, West Virginia
Fayette's risk slightly above state average
Fayette County's composite risk score of 53.44 and Relatively Low rating place it modestly above West Virginia's state average of 49.21. Nationally, this score indicates moderate but manageable natural disaster exposure.
Mid-range risk among West Virginia counties
With a score of 53.44, Fayette ranks in the middle tier of West Virginia counties, where the average is 49.21. The county faces more significant hazard exposure than Doddridge or Gilmer but less than Greenbrier County.
Moderate risk in southern West Virginia cluster
Fayette's score of 53.44 sits between Greenbrier County (75.76) to the south and Hardy County (42.46) to the north. The county faces higher earthquake and wildfire risk than most of its immediate neighbors.
Flooding and earthquakes pose greatest threats
Fayette residents face substantial flood risk (72.93) and earthquake exposure (52.26), making these the county's primary concerns. Wildfire risk is also notable at 49.52, while tornado danger remains relatively low at 10.69.
Prioritize flood and earthquake preparedness
Fayette's flood risk score of 72.93 makes flood insurance critical, especially in low-lying areas and near waterways. Consider earthquake coverage or retrofit assessments for older structures, given the county's 52.26 seismic risk score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Fayette County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Fayette County
Risk Verdict
Fayette County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 53th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Fayette County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Fayette County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (50th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile), tornado (11th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Fayette County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. The county's second-ranked hazard, earthquake at the 52th percentile nationally, means Fayette County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. For most Fayette County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.
Regional Context
At just 4.2 composite points from the West Virginia average, Fayette County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Fayette County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Fayette County, WV?
What types of natural hazards affect Fayette County?
How does Fayette County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
Is Fayette County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Fayette 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.