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

Tucker County Disaster Risk

Tucker County, West Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

13th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#53

of 55 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

40th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Tucker County, West Virginia

Tucker ranks among America's safest counties

Tucker County's composite risk score of 12.56 places it in the very low national risk category, representing exceptional protection from natural disasters. The county's minimal wildfire risk of 10.05 and negligible tornado exposure at 8.56 make it one of the nation's most protected regions.

Second-safest county in West Virginia

Tucker County ranks as West Virginia's second-safest county with a composite score of 12.56, representing just 25% of the state average of 49.21. Only Ritchie County offers comparable protection from natural disaster exposure across the state.

Far safer than all surrounding counties

Tucker County's 12.56 score is dramatically lower than all neighboring areas, including nearby Randolph County (57.06) and Taylor County (23.51). The county's mountainous terrain and forest cover paradoxically create some of America's lowest wildfire exposure rates.

Flooding is Tucker's only meaningful risk

Tucker County's hazard profile is dominated by flooding at 39.63, which remains below national averages for concern. All other natural disaster risks—wildfire at 10.05, tornado at 8.56, and earthquake at 16.09—are exceptionally minimal.

Minimal insurance needs for Tucker residents

Tucker County residents benefit from among the lowest natural disaster insurance costs in the nation given the county's exceptional safety profile. Basic homeowner insurance suffices for most properties, with flood coverage only necessary for properties in specific river valleys.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tucker County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    47th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    40th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    16th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Tucker County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Tucker County ranks at the 13th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Even at the 13th percentile, Tucker County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Tucker County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 47th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (16th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile), tornado (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 47th percentile nationally, Tucker County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 40th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Tucker County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Tucker County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 36.6 points below the West Virginia state average, Tucker County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Tucker 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 Tucker County, WV?
Tucker County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 13th 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 Tucker County?
Tucker County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (47th percentile), flooding (40th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile), tornado (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 47th 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 Tucker County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
Tucker County's composite risk percentile is 13th, compared to the West Virginia state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Tucker County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in West Virginia.
Is Tucker County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Tucker County's hurricane risk is at the 47th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Tucker County is at the 40th 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 Tucker County a safe place to live?
Tucker County's composite risk score of 13th 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 47th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.