Sussex County, New Jersey Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NJ
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Sussex County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 77.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 77th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Very High risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 5.10 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $16M in expected annual loss and about 1.47 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $58K in expected annual loss and about 0.75 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $59M in expected annual loss for a population of 144K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sussex County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: Sussex County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida (hurricane), declared in September 2021.
Among 21 New Jersey counties, Sussex County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Sussex County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Severe Storm (7), Snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| April 2021 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| December 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| November 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm |
| October 2011 | Severe Storm | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Sussex County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Sussex County since 1965, most often 9 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida, declared in September 2021.
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.