Tompkins County
New York — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Tompkins County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 73.9, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $30M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $358K |
| Drought | Low | 2.19 / yr | $355K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $160K |
| Lightning | Medium | 30.40 / yr | $390K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $3K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.11 / yr | $364K |
| Hail | Low | 2.54 / yr | $234K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.55 / yr | $500K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $191K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $187 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.42 / yr | $524K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.79 / yr | $27K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| 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 Tompkins County?
Tompkins County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 73.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Tompkins County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $30M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $358K EAL), Drought (Low, $355K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Tompkins County compare to other New York counties?
Tompkins County ranks #28 of 62 New York counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Tompkins County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.