Natural Disasters in Switzer, WV

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

79.2

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

72.3

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

75.5

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

14.2

Score (0-100)

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster History & Federal Spending

Source: FEMA

Total Declarations

36

Public Assistance

$1.5M

Individual Assistance

$15.6M

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

16 declarations

DisasterTypeDatePA $IA $
Severe Winter Storm →Winter StormJan 2026——
Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →Severe StormFeb 2025$481K$2.6M
Severe Storms and Flooding →FloodMay 2021—$103K
Covid-19 Pandemic →BiologicalApr 2020$48K$680K
Covid-19 →BiologicalMar 2020——
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →Mud/LandslideApr 2018——
Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →Severe StormAug 2015——
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →Severe StormMay 2015——
Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →Severe StormMar 2015$44K—
Chemical Spill →ChemicalJan 2014——
Hurricane Sandy →HurricaneOct 2012——
Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds →Severe StormJul 2012$17K$199
Severe Storms →Severe StormJun 2012——
Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Lanslides →Severe StormMar 2012—$2.3M
Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides →FloodJun 2010$447K$1.7M
Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides →Severe StormMay 2007——
Hurricane Katrina Evacuation →HurricaneSep 2005——
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides →Severe StormSep 2004—$89K
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides →Severe StormAug 2004—$191K
Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides →Severe StormJun 2004$434K$5.6M

Showing 20 of 38 disasters

PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

2,143

Total Claims Paid

$31,442,842

Avg Claim Payout

$14,672

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

15

Federal Funding

$4,334,694

Properties Protected

77

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

5.08

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine11$4,051,872
207.2: Mitigation Reconstruction2$104,602
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine; 800.1: Miscellaneous1$178,220
200.3: Acquisition of Public Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine1$0

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Switzer has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, wildfire, avalanche. The area has had 36 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (16 declarations). 2,143 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $1,470,874 in public assistance recovery funding. $15,614,864 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 15 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.