riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Greenbrier County Disaster Risk

Greenbrier County, West Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

76th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#7

of 55 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

85th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Greenbrier County

Risk Verdict

Greenbrier County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 76th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is the dominant hazard for Greenbrier County, scoring in the 85th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 57th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (56th), hurricane (53th), tornado (13th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Greenbrier County residents should review flood insurance needs (standard home insurance does not cover flood damage), know your evacuation zone, and keep important documents waterproofed. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Greenbrier County is significantly riskier than the average county in West Virginia. Its composite risk score is 26.6 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Greenbrier County, WV?
Greenbrier County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 76th 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 Greenbrier County?
Greenbrier County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (85th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile), earthquake (56th percentile), hurricane (53th percentile), tornado (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 85th 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 Greenbrier County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
Greenbrier County's composite risk percentile is 76th, compared to the West Virginia state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Greenbrier County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in West Virginia.
Is Greenbrier County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Greenbrier County's flooding risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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.
Why is Greenbrier County higher risk than average?
Greenbrier County's composite risk score of 76th percentile is above the West Virginia state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (85th percentile), along with wildfire and earthquake and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

McDowell County

West Virginia

+0.9

Relatively Low

77th percentile

Putnam County

West Virginia

-1.7

Relatively Low

74th percentile

Harrison County

West Virginia

-2.2

Relatively Low

74th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

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