Orange County
New York — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Orange County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 90.6, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $99M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.61 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | High | 14.64 / yr | $639K |
| Riverine Flood | High | 2.75 / yr | $63M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $89K |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.07 / yr | $10M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.32 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | High | 30.15 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.74 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $5M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.83 / yr | $356K |
| Drought | Medium | 1.25 / yr | $710K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $56K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $618 |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.69 / yr | $73K |
| Hail | Low | 2.43 / yr | $168K |
| 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 Orange County?
Orange County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Orange County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $639K EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $63M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Orange County compare to other New York counties?
Orange County ranks #12 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. Orange County's $99M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.