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Natural hazard risk in Kanawha County, West Virginia

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively High (score 94.5 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$142.9 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1967
32[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$43.2 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
15[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index rates overall natural hazard risk in Kanawha County as Relatively High, with a score of 94.5 out of 100[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores in this county are inland flooding, landslide and heat wave[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) lists $142.9 million a year in Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Kanawha County[1]. This is a FEMA estimate of average yearly loss, not money anyone paid[7]. To see which hazards make up most of the expected loss, FEMA's values put inland flooding first at $132.7 million a year, then heat wave at $3.1 million a year, then strong wind at $1.7 million a year[8]. FEMA rates Social Vulnerability as Relatively Moderate (score 58.0), which describes how susceptible social groups are to harm from natural hazards[9]. FEMA rates Community Resilience as Very High (score 82.4), which describes a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[10]. These ratings compare the county with all other US counties and do not predict next year's losses[7].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
Inland FloodingRelatively High$132.7 million[11]
LandslideRelatively Moderate$159,000[12]
Heat WaveRelatively Moderate$3.1 million[13]
LightningRelatively High$1.1 million[14]
Strong WindRelatively High$1.7 million[15]
Winter WeatherRelatively High$288,000[16]
HailRelatively Moderate$921,000[17]
Ice StormRelatively Moderate$409,000[18]
EarthquakeRelatively Low$1.1 million[19]
AvalancheRelatively Low$13,000[20]
HurricaneRelatively Low$294,000[21]
WildfireVery Low$83,000[22]
TornadoRelatively Low$600,000[23]
Cold WaveRelatively Low$412,000[24]
DroughtVery Low$7,144[25]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity[26].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Moderate58.0[9]
Community resilienceVery High82.4[10]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk in Kanawha County as Relatively High, with a score of 97.9 out of 100[11]. OpenFEMA lists 1,159 residential flood insurance contracts in force, out of 78,314 residential structures, as of 2026-08-03[27]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 9.8% of homes are insured[27]. OpenFEMA NFIP claims data records 2,479 claims for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $43.2 million in total[3]. For the flood zone of a specific address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[28].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[11] Relatively High, $132.7 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[27] 1,159 of 78,314 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[27] 10,173, of which 1,000 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 2,479 filed, $43.2 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[28]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 32 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Kanawha County since 1967, including severe storm 14 and flood 10[2]. The most recent is DR-4953-WV, Severe Storms And Flooding, declared 2026-10-07[29]. NOAA's tornado database records 15 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024, and the strongest were rated EF2[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Kanawha County, since 1967
Incident type Declarations
Severe Storm[2] 14
Flood[2] 10
Snowstorm[2] 3
Hurricane[2] 3
Winter Storm[2] 1
Fire[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
DR-4953-WV[29] Severe Storms And Flooding 2026-10-07
EM-3639-WV[29] Severe Winter Storm 2026-01-24
DR-4787-WV[29] Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides 2024-05-24
DR-4783-WV[29] Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides 2024-05-22
DR-4756-WV[29] Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides 2024-01-30

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Floods

Before

  • Check your flood risk with FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, and remember that floods do not follow map lines.
  • Sign up for your community's warning system. NOAA Weather Radio also broadcasts alerts.
  • Buy flood insurance through the NFIP well before a disaster. Homeowners policies do not cover flooding, and a new policy typically takes up to 30 days to go into effect.
  • Make a household plan with evacuation routes, shelter locations and what to do in a flash flood.
  • Keep important documents in a waterproof container and make password-protected digital copies.

During

  • If you are told to evacuate, leave right away and never drive around barricades.
  • Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Six inches of moving water can knock you down.
  • If you are trapped in a building, go to the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic.

Source: Ready.gov, floods

Extreme heat

Before

  • Learn the signs of heat illness and how to respond.
  • Do not rely on a fan as your main way to stay cool. Fans do not lower body temperature.
  • Find cool public places, such as libraries or malls, or ask your local health department.
  • Keep heat out with window shades, weather stripping and insulation.
  • If you cannot afford cooling costs, contact LIHEAP for help.

During

  • Never leave a person or an animal in a parked car in warm weather.
  • If your home has no air conditioning, go to a cooling center.
  • Wear light, loose clothing, drink plenty of fluids and avoid hard outdoor work in the middle of the day.

Source: Ready.gov, extreme heat

Winter storms and cold

Before

  • Insulate your home and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
  • Keep several days of supplies in case the power goes out, including medication and pet needs.
  • Put an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, sand, blankets, water and snacks, and keep the tank full.

During

  • Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away.
  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you are stuck in your car, stay inside it.
  • Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows, and never heat your home with an oven or stove.

Source: Ready.gov, winter storms and cold

Questions people ask

Is Kanawha County at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk in Kanawha County as Relatively High compared with other US counties, with a score of 97.9[11]. FEMA lists $132.7 million a year in expected annual loss from inland flooding[8].
How many disasters have been declared in Kanawha County?
OpenFEMA lists 32 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Kanawha County since 1967[2]. The most recent is DR-4953-WV, declared 2026-10-07[29].
Does Kanawha County get tornadoes?
NOAA's tornado database records 15 tornadoes touching Kanawha County from 1950 to 2024, and the strongest were rated EF2[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk as Relatively Low compared with other US counties[23].
How do I check my flood zone in Kanawha County?
Look up the address in FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or ask the local floodplain manager[28]. County ratings do not show the flood zone of a single address[28].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Kanawha County is $142.9 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Moderate, score 93.9). Of this, buildings account for $130.2 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 32 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Kanawha County since 1967 (26 major disaster, 6 emergency or fire management). By incident type: severe storm 14, flood 10, snowstorm 3, hurricane 3, winter storm 1, fire 1. Biological (such as COVID-19)... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 2,479 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Kanawha County, 1,937 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $43.2 million in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid).... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 15 recorded tornadoes touched Kanawha County. The strongest were rated EF2 (most recent of them on 2024-04-02). 0 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2024-04-02. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Kanawha County is Relatively High, with a Risk Index score of 94.5 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Kanawha County are inland flooding (97.9, Relatively High), landslide (96.1, Relatively Moderate), heat wave (91.6, Relatively Moderate). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  8. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Kanawha County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are inland flooding ($132.7 million a year), heat wave ($3.1 million a year), strong wind ($1.7 million a year), out of $142.9 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Kanawha County is Relatively Moderate (score 58.0). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Kanawha County is Very High (score 82.4). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 97.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $132.7 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 4.21 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 96.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $159,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 91.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3.1 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 4.16 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 91.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.1 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 47.7 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 88.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.7 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 0.87 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 87.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $288,000 a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 9.63 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 83.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $921,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 2.87 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 81.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $409,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.22 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68... FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 76.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.1 million a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0011 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), avalanche in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 75.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $13,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.01 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 28 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 64.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $294,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.02 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172 years for the... FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 61.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $83,000 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0013 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 35.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $600,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.08 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 32.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $412,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.74 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Kanawha County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 22.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $7,144 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 3.04 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  26. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Kanawha County: coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered geographically possible... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  27. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 1,159 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Kanawha County, out of 78,314 residential structures, a penetration rate of 1.5%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 10,173 residential structures and 1,000 contracts,... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  28. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  29. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.