Summers County Disaster Risk
Summers County, West Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
40th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#35
of 55 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
60th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 60% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 42% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Summers County, West Virginia
Summers maintains well-below-average risk
Summers County's composite risk score of 40.24 sits comfortably below the national average, indicating lower-than-typical natural disaster exposure. While flooding at 59.64 and wildfire at 46.95 are the county's notable hazards, tornado risk remains exceptionally low at 6.84.
Lower-risk county in West Virginia
Summers County ranks among West Virginia's safer counties with a composite score of 40.24, well below the state average of 49.21. The county benefits from relatively balanced hazard exposure with no single catastrophic risk dominating the profile.
Safer than most surrounding counties
Summers County's 40.24 score is notably lower than neighboring Raleigh County (65.52) and Roane County (45.01), making it a regional refuge from disaster exposure. Only Tyler County (35.59) presents comparable or lower risk in the immediate vicinity.
Balanced threats from floods and wildfires
Summers County faces dual primary hazards: flooding at 59.64 and wildfire risk at 46.95, both requiring distinct preparedness strategies. Earthquake risk at 33.14 presents a tertiary concern, while tornado exposure remains negligible at 6.84.
Standard insurance adequate for most residents
Summers County's moderate risk profile means standard homeowner insurance provides reasonable baseline protection for most residents. Those in forest-adjacent properties should consider wildfire preparedness and defensible space maintenance, while flood insurance remains advisable near waterways.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Summers County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Summers County
Risk Verdict
Summers County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 40th percentile nationally. At the 40th percentile nationally, Summers County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Summers County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 47th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (42th percentile), earthquake (33th percentile), tornado (7th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Summers County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 60th 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. Secondary wildfire exposure at the 47th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. For most Summers 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
The West Virginia county average exceeds Summers County's score by 9.0 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Summers County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Summers County, WV?
What types of natural hazards affect Summers County?
How does Summers County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
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How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Summers 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.