Albany County, New York Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NY
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 86th
Albany County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.9, 86th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $64M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Albany County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 85.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 86th national percentile and near the national midpoint 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $68K in expected annual loss and about 0.36 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $43M in expected annual loss and about 2.75 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 27.55 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $64M in expected annual loss for a population of 315K.
Beyond physical exposure, Albany County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Albany County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1987, including 6 for snowstorm events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Henri (hurricane), declared in August 2021.
Among 62 New York counties, Albany County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.36 / yr | $68K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.75 / yr | $43M |
| Lightning | High | 27.55 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.12 / yr | $7M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.68 / yr | $700K |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.05 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.40 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.25 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.47 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 2.89 / yr | $550K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.87 / yr | $103K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $191 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| 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
Albany County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1987, most recently Hurricane Henri in August 2021. Most frequent causes: Snowstorm (6), Severe Storm (6), Hurricane (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Henri |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Severe Storm | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| December 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Albany County?
Albany County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 86th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Albany County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $68K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $43M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Albany County compare to other New York counties?
Albany County ranks #18 of 62 New York counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Albany County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Albany County since 1987, most often 6 for snowstorm events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Henri, declared in August 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. Albany County's $64M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.