Charleston, WV
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Charleston is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Kanawha County, WV. The county's highest-rated hazards are inland flooding, landslide, and heat wave.
Storm events near Charleston
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Charleston's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Charleston itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Kanawha County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Charleston along with the rest of the county, not a Charleston-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 61.5 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 97.9 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 76.3 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 91.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 35.2 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | 75 | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | 32.2 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 23 | Very Low |
| Hail | 83 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 64.4 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 81.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 96.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 91.3 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 88.8 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 87.2 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Kanawha County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Kanawha County:
More on Kanawha County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Charleston, WV at risk of?
Charleston is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Kanawha County, where Charleston is located, are inland flooding, landslide, and heat wave.
What is Charleston's biggest natural hazard risk?
Inland Flooding is the highest-rated hazard for Kanawha County, where Charleston is located, scoring 97.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Charleston a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Charleston carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Kanawha County.
Has Charleston had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 12 tornado, 111 hail, 276 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Charleston since 2016.