Lewis County Disaster Risk
Lewis County, West Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
44th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#32
of 55 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
69th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 26% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Lewis County, West Virginia
Lewis County remains among the nation's safest
Lewis County's composite risk score of 43.70 sits well below West Virginia's state average of 49.21, marking it as one of the state's lowest-risk counties. This modest score reflects minimal exposure to major natural hazards compared to disaster-prone regions nationwide.
Lewis County ranks among West Virginia's safest
Lewis County scores just 43.70 on the composite disaster risk scale, placing it in the lowest-risk tier of West Virginia's 55 counties. No single hazard type poses significant threat, making Lewis one of the state's most resilient communities.
Lewis has the lowest wildfire risk in the group
Lewis County's composite score of 43.70 ranks as the second-lowest in this eight-county analysis, with a wildfire risk of just 7.25—by far the safest in the group. Its tornado risk of 11.55 and earthquake risk of 25.95 also rank among the county's best defensive positions.
Flood exposure dominates Lewis County's profile
Flooding represents Lewis County's primary natural hazard concern with a risk score of 69.08, though this remains below state average. All other hazards—tornado (11.55), wildfire (7.25), earthquake (25.95), and hurricane (47.35)—pose minimal threats to residents.
Flood insurance is Lewis's main protection need
Lewis County's 69.08 flood risk means flood insurance should be your priority coverage, even though overall disaster risk is low. Standard homeowners insurance covers wind and hail damage adequately for Lewis's minimal tornado and hurricane exposure, making the county an excellent choice for affordable comprehensive protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lewis County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lewis County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 44th, Lewis County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Lewis County residents can take confidence from a 44th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Lewis County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 47th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (26th percentile), tornado (12th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With flood risk ranking at the 69th percentile nationally, Lewis County residents face one of the most financially damaging hazards without specialized coverage. Flood insurance through the NFIP or a private carrier is worth evaluating regardless of current mortgage requirements. Secondary hurricane exposure at the 47th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Registering for Lewis County's county emergency alert system — typically through the county emergency management office's website — ensures households receive early warning when flood events develop faster than forecast.
Regional Context
Lewis County falls 5.5 points below West Virginia's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.
Is your household prepared for Lewis County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lewis County, WV?
What types of natural hazards affect Lewis County?
How does Lewis County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
Is Lewis County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Lewis County a safe place to live?
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.