Sussex County
New Jersey — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Sussex County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 77.4, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $59M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Very High | 5.10 / yr | $9M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.47 / yr | $16M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.75 / yr | $58K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.21 / yr | $307K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.71 / yr | $27M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 31.10 / yr | $683K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.00 / yr | $891K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.98 / yr | $157K |
| Drought | Low | 1.83 / yr | $237K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.19 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $33K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $175 |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.45 / yr | $38K |
| 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 Sussex County?
Sussex County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 77.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sussex County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Very High, $9M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $16M EAL), Landslide (Low, $58K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sussex County compare to other New Jersey counties?
Sussex County ranks #20 of 21 New Jersey 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. Sussex County's $59M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.