Natural Disaster Risk in Wirt County

Natural Hazard Profile: Wirt County, West Virginia

Wirt County is located in the United States in West Virginia, home to roughly 5,184 residents. The county experiences cold winters, warm summers, and mountainous terrain that intensifies flooding, with flash flooding and winter storms shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Wirt County carries an overall risk score of 3.5/10, placing it in the low category. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. The area also faces notable exposure to tsunami and hurricane.

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

Despite its lower-than-average risk classification, Wirt County is not immune to natural hazards. Basic preparedness — an emergency kit, awareness of seasonal risks, and property insurance that covers landslide — remains prudent for all residents.