Blair County
Pennsylvania — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 78th
Blair County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 77.7, 78th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $34M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 13.95 / yr | $448K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.54 / yr | $27M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.64 / yr | $30K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 36.55 / yr | $574K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.84 / yr | $861K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $463K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.84 / yr | $814K |
| Hail | Low | 1.59 / yr | $188K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $215K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $19K |
| 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 Blair County?
Blair County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 77.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 78th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Blair County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $448K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $27M EAL), Landslide (Low, $30K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Blair County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Blair County ranks #26 of 67 Pennsylvania 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. Blair County's $34M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.