Natural Disaster Risk in Red Jacket

Natural Hazard Profile: Red Jacket, West Virginia

Red Jacket is a small community of about 1,395 in Mingo 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 Red Jacket.

FEMA rates Red Jacket's composite natural disaster risk at 5.7 out of 10 — moderate risk. Snow avalanche exposure tops the local risk profile, with the area's mountain setting and annual snowfall loading producing regular avalanche cycles on steep slopes. Residents should also account for landslide and wildfire risk in their preparedness planning.

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

Red Jacket's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that avalanche exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.