Monongalia County Disaster Risk
Monongalia County, West Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
72th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#11
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
Very Low
Higher than 31% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 46% 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 63% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Monongalia County, West Virginia
Monongalia County faces significant national hazard exposure
Monongalia County's composite risk score of 71.53 is 45% above West Virginia's state average of 49.21 and well above the national average. The county ranks among the nation's more disaster-exposed counties, with elevated risk across multiple hazard categories.
Fourth-highest risk county in West Virginia
Monongalia County ranks in the top tier of West Virginia's most hazard-prone counties, with only McDowell (76.65) and Mingo (72.58) carrying notably higher overall risk. Its 71.53 score reflects substantial exposure to flooding, hurricanes, and tornados.
Riskier than Marshall and Mineral to the south
Monongalia County's score of 71.53 substantially exceeds Marshall County (56.81), Mason County (57.44), and Mineral County (52.83) in the region. The county faces notably higher overall disaster risk than most of its neighboring jurisdictions.
Flooding, hurricanes, and tornados are major threats
Monongalia County's flood risk of 84.99 is among the state's highest, while hurricane risk of 63.16 ranks third statewide. Tornado risk of 46.02 is substantially elevated compared to other West Virginia counties, creating a complex multi-hazard landscape.
Comprehensive coverage needed for Monongalia
Flood insurance is essential given the 84.99 flood risk, with particular attention to properties in floodplain or water-adjacent areas. Ensure homeowners insurance includes adequate hurricane and wind coverage given the county's elevated 63.16 hurricane and 46.02 tornado risk scores.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Monongalia County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Monongalia County
Risk Verdict
Monongalia County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Monongalia County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Monongalia County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (46th percentile), earthquake (44th percentile), wildfire (31th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Monongalia County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 85th 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, hurricane at the 63th percentile nationally, means Monongalia County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. For most Monongalia 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
Monongalia County's composite risk score sits 22.3 points above the West Virginia county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Monongalia County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Monongalia County, WV?
What types of natural hazards affect Monongalia County?
How does Monongalia County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
Is Monongalia County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Monongalia 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.