Mingo County Disaster Risk
Mingo County, West Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
73th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#10
of 55 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
86th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 86% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Mingo County, West Virginia
Mingo County ranks among nation's higher-risk areas
Mingo County's composite risk score of 72.58 is 48% above West Virginia's state average of 49.21 and substantially exceeds the national baseline. The county faces significant exposure to multiple concurrent disasters, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties by hazard risk.
Second-highest disaster risk in West Virginia
Mingo County ranks second only to McDowell County (76.65) in overall disaster risk among West Virginia's 55 counties. With a 72.58 score, it faces exceptional exposure across flood, wildfire, and other major hazards.
Most hazard-exposed county in southern West Virginia
Mingo County's score of 72.58 far exceeds Mercer County (65.24) and McDowell County (76.65) in its immediate region. Only Monongalia County in the north approaches Mingo's overall risk level statewide.
Catastrophic flood and wildfire risks dominate
Mingo County's flood risk of 86.04 is the highest in the state, while wildfire risk of 81.77 ranks second statewide—both among the nation's most severe. These dual hazards create compounded vulnerability across the county's landscape.
Flood and wildfire insurance are both essential
Flood insurance is non-negotiable with a score of 86.04—the state's highest. Wildfire coverage must also be reviewed or added to homeowners policies given the exceptional 81.77 wildfire risk, particularly for properties in forest or woodland settings.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Mingo County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Mingo County
Risk Verdict
At the 73th percentile nationally, Mingo County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Mingo County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Mingo County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 82th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (52th percentile), earthquake (49th percentile), tornado (12th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Mingo County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. Secondary wildfire exposure at the 82th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Mingo 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
Mingo County falls 23.4 points above West Virginia's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Mingo County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Mingo County, WV?
What types of natural hazards affect Mingo County?
How does Mingo County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
Is Mingo County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Mingo 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.