Washington County
New York — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Washington County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 56.6, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.21 / yr | $25K |
| Lightning | Medium | 24.86 / yr | $730K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $782K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.29 / yr | $14M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.70 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $444K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.40 / yr | $122K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.14 / yr | $251K |
| Hail | Low | 2.14 / yr | $190K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.05 / yr | $43K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.18 / yr | $272K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| 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 Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 56.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $25K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $730K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $782K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other New York counties?
Washington County ranks #46 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. Washington County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.