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FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Pendleton County Disaster Risk

Pendleton County, West Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

30th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 55 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

58th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pendleton County, West Virginia

Pendleton County Among Nation's Safest

Pendleton County's composite risk score of 30.12 places it well below the national average with a "Very Low" rating. The county ranks among the safest places in America when measuring exposure to major natural disasters.

West Virginia's Lowest-Risk County

Pendleton County's 30.12 score represents among the lowest composite risk in West Virginia, significantly outperforming the state average of 49.21. Residents enjoy considerably more protection from natural hazards than their counterparts across most of the state.

Safest in Its Regional Cluster

Pendleton County's risk profile rivals only Pocahontas County (27.54) and Morgan County (30.44) among nearby counties, while substantially outperforming Preston County (33.84). Its mountain geography and location provide natural protective advantages over neighboring communities.

Flood and Hurricane Only Concerns

Flood risk (58.46) and hurricane exposure (60.83) represent Pendleton County's main natural hazards, though both remain near state averages. Earthquake (18.70) and wildfire (26.78) risks are modest, while tornado danger is exceptionally low at just 6.49.

Balanced Insurance Approach Sufficient

Pendleton County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with wind coverage and consider flood insurance given moderate flood exposure. The county's low overall risk means residents can focus on routine preparedness rather than extensive mitigation measures.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Pendleton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    61th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    58th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    27th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Pendleton County

Risk Verdict

Pendleton County's overall natural disaster score at the 30th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. The 30th percentile national ranking is one lens; Pendleton County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Pendleton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 61th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (27th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile), tornado (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 61th percentile nationally makes Pendleton County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Pendleton County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Flood at the 58th percentile nationally is Pendleton County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Pendleton County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Pendleton County's composite risk score sits 19.1 points below the West Virginia county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Pendleton County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Pendleton County, WV?
Pendleton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 30th 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 Pendleton County?
Pendleton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (61th percentile), flooding (58th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile), tornado (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 61th 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 Pendleton County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
Pendleton County's composite risk percentile is 30th, compared to the West Virginia state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pendleton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in West Virginia.
Is Pendleton County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Pendleton County's hurricane risk is at the 61th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Pendleton County is at the 58th percentile.
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.
Is Pendleton County a safe place to live?
Pendleton County's composite risk score of 30th percentile is below the West Virginia state average of 49th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 61th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Morgan County

West Virginia

+0.3

Very Low

30th percentile

Monroe County

West Virginia

-1.8

Very Low

28th percentile

Pocahontas County

West Virginia

-2.6

Very Low

28th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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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