Natural Disaster Risk in Alum Bridge

Natural Hazard Profile: Alum Bridge, West Virginia

Alum Bridge is a small unincorporated community in Lewis County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences cold winters, warm summers, and mountainous terrain that intensifies flooding, with flash flooding and winter storms shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Alum Bridge.

FEMA rates Alum Bridge's composite natural disaster risk at 4.4 out of 10 — moderate risk. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Residents should also account for avalanche and hurricane risk in their preparedness planning.

Alum Bridge's risk score, slightly below the 5.0/10 state average and near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Lewis County, the highest-scoring are landslide, avalanche, and hurricane. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a moderate risk rating, Alum Bridge residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for landslide is recommended.