Worcester County
Massachusetts — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 94th
Worcester County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 93.5, 94th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $163M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 2.99 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | High | 1.26 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.13 / yr | $37M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 3.75 / yr | $90M |
| Lightning | High | 22.50 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.61 / yr | $109K |
| Cold Wave | High | 3.36 / yr | $10M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.36 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $6M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.38 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.60 / yr | $925K |
| Drought | Medium | 4.28 / yr | $704K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 19.30 / yr | $122K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $116K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Worcester County?
Worcester County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 93.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 94th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Worcester County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $4M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Hurricane (High, $37M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Worcester County compare to other Massachusetts counties?
Worcester County ranks #4 of 14 Massachusetts counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Worcester County's $163M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.