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

Tyler County Disaster Risk

Tyler County, West Virginia

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#38

of 55 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

63th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Tyler County, West Virginia

Tyler maintains below-average disaster risk

Tyler County's composite risk score of 35.59 places it well below the national average, indicating manageable overall natural disaster exposure. Flooding at 63.01 represents the county's primary concern, while wildfire and earthquake risks are minimal.

Lower-risk county in West Virginia

Tyler County ranks among West Virginia's safer counties with a composite score of 35.59, approximately 28% below the state average of 49.21. This positioning reflects the county's relative protection across most hazard categories.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Tyler County's 35.59 score is notably lower than neighboring Randolph County (57.06) and Roane County (45.01), making it a comparatively safer area. Only Tucker County (12.56) and Ritchie County (16.13) offer substantially lower risk in nearby regions.

Flooding dominates Tyler's hazard profile

Tyler County faces moderate flood risk at 63.01, making it the county's defining natural disaster threat for residents. Hurricane risk at 48.81 presents a secondary concern, while tornado, wildfire, and earthquake risks all remain well-controlled.

Flood insurance advised for riverside properties

Tyler County residents, particularly those near waterways, should maintain dedicated flood insurance to supplement standard homeowner policies. For most other properties in the county, basic comprehensive insurance provides adequate protection given the county's favorable overall risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tyler County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    49th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    22th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Tyler County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Tyler County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 36th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Tyler County's favorable 36th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Tyler County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (22th percentile), tornado (15th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With flood ranked as the primary hazard at the 63th percentile nationally, Tyler County households should build a go-bag that includes important documents, medications, and supplies to sustain the family for at least three days if evacuation is needed. Secondary hurricane exposure at the 49th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. A waterproof container for documents (insurance policies, ID, prescriptions) and a clear household communication plan for when phone networks are congested are the two highest-value low-cost preparedness steps for Tyler County households.

Regional Context

Tyler County is 13.6 composite risk points below the West Virginia state mean, meaning most other West Virginia counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Tyler 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 Tyler County, WV?
Tyler County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th 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 Tyler County?
Tyler County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (63th percentile), hurricane (49th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile), tornado (15th percentile), wildfire (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 63th 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 Tyler County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
Tyler County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the West Virginia state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Tyler County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in West Virginia.
Is Tyler County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Tyler County's flooding risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median.
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 Tyler County a safe place to live?
Tyler County's composite risk score of 36th 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 flooding at the 63th 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.