Fayette County
Pennsylvania — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Fayette County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.2, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $37M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.54 / yr | $32M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.34 / yr | $31K |
| Lightning | Medium | 43.41 / yr | $605K |
| Hail | Medium | 2.56 / yr | $537K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.27 / yr | $675K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $364K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $167K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.53 / yr | $67K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.33 / yr | $70K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.30 / yr | $218K |
| Drought | Low | 0.82 / yr | $74K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.57 / yr | $46K |
| 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 Fayette County?
Fayette 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 Fayette County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $32M EAL), Landslide (Low, $31K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $605K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fayette County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Fayette County ranks #21 of 67 Pennsylvania 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. Fayette County's $37M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.