Elk County
Pennsylvania — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Elk County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.2, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Medium | 35.47 / yr | $747K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.72 / yr | $7K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $13M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.79 / yr | $129K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $333K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.02 / yr | $419K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.00 / yr | $424K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $63K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $220K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $11K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $13K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.23 / yr | $18K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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 Elk County?
Elk County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Elk County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Medium, $747K EAL), Landslide (Low, $7K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $13M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Elk County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Elk County ranks #58 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. Elk County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.