Rensselaer County
New York — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Rensselaer County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.2, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $49M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 2.85 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.29 / yr | $37M |
| Lightning | Medium | 26.69 / yr | $756K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.44 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.15 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.80 / yr | $8K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.84 / yr | $240K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.85 / yr | $114K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $568K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.97 / yr | $549K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.51 / yr | $1M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $302 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| 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 Rensselaer County?
Rensselaer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rensselaer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $37M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $756K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rensselaer County compare to other New York counties?
Rensselaer County ranks #22 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. Rensselaer County's $49M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.