Albany County
New York — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 86th
Albany County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.9, 86th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $64M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.36 / yr | $68K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.75 / yr | $43M |
| Lightning | High | 27.55 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.12 / yr | $7M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.68 / yr | $700K |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.05 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.40 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.25 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.47 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 2.89 / yr | $550K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.87 / yr | $103K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $191 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | 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 Albany County?
Albany County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 86th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Albany County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $68K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $43M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Albany County compare to other New York counties?
Albany County ranks #18 of 62 New York 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. Albany County's $64M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.