Niagara County
New York — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Niagara County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.4, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $52M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.32 / yr | $45M |
| Ice Storm | High | 2.96 / yr | $760K |
| Lightning | Medium | 27.60 / yr | $664K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.97 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.11 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $658K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.90 / yr | $568K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $157K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.90 / yr | $83K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.07 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 0.51 / yr | $202K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $2K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $36 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3 |
| 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 Niagara County?
Niagara County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Niagara County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $45M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $760K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $664K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Niagara County compare to other New York counties?
Niagara County ranks #20 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. Niagara County's $52M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.