Mason County Disaster Risk
Mason County, West Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
57th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#21
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 31% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 16% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Mason County, West Virginia
Mason County faces above-average disaster risk
Mason County's composite risk score of 57.44 places it in the "Relatively Low" category but exceeds West Virginia's state average of 49.21 by about 17%. The county's risk profile is driven by elevated flood and hurricane exposure rather than seismic or tornado threats.
Upper-middle risk tier in West Virginia
With a score of 57.44, Mason County ranks above the state median among West Virginia's 55 counties. It faces moderate overall disaster exposure, placing it in the more vulnerable half of the state's counties.
Comparable to Marshall County, lower than Mercer
Mason County's 57.44 score closely mirrors Marshall County's 56.81, reflecting similar flood and hurricane exposure along the Ohio River corridor. Mercer County to the east (65.24) and Mingo County to the south (72.58) carry notably higher overall risk.
Flood and hurricane risk dominate the profile
Mason County's flood risk score of 76.30 is the highest hazard, followed by hurricane risk at 57.53—both well above the county's wildfire (30.92) and tornado (15.97) scores. River-adjacent areas face acute flood vulnerability, while hurricane remnants pose seasonal concerns.
Flood insurance is critical for Mason County
With flood risk at 76.30, flood insurance should be a top priority, especially for properties near the Ohio River or floodplain areas. Review homeowners policies for hurricane and wind coverage as well, given the county's 57.53 hurricane risk score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Mason County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Mason County
Risk Verdict
Mason County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 57th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Mason County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Mason County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (44th percentile), wildfire (31th percentile), tornado (16th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With flood ranked as the primary hazard at the 76th percentile nationally, Mason County households should build a go-bag that includes important documents, medications, and supplies to sustain the family for at least three days if evacuation is needed. Secondary hurricane exposure at the 58th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. A waterproof container for documents (insurance policies, ID, prescriptions) and a clear household communication plan for when phone networks are congested are the two highest-value low-cost preparedness steps for Mason County households.
Regional Context
A composite score 8.2 points above the West Virginia state average puts Mason County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Mason County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Mason County, WV?
What types of natural hazards affect Mason County?
How does Mason County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
Is Mason County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Mason 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.