Sullivan County, New Hampshire Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NH
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Sullivan County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.6, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sullivan County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 37.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 38th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Sullivan County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $14K in expected annual loss and about 1.06 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $561K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $233K in expected annual loss and about 0.87 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sullivan County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Sullivan County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 11 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (winter storm), declared in July 2024.
Among 10 New Hampshire counties, Sullivan County ranks #10 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.06 / yr | $14K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $561K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $233K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.36 / yr | $12M |
| Lightning | Low | 21.00 / yr | $324K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 19.21 / yr | $77K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.11 / yr | $361K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $235K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.11 / yr | $683K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $80 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.03 / yr | $295K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $383K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.97 / yr | $78K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Sullivan County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Flooding in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (8), Hurricane (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| September 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2021 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| August 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| November 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
Showing the 10 most recent of 33 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sullivan County?
Sullivan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sullivan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $14K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $561K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $233K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sullivan County compare to other New Hampshire counties?
Sullivan County ranks #10 of 10 New Hampshire counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sullivan County had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for Sullivan County since 1973, most often 11 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Flooding, declared in July 2024.
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. Sullivan County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.