Clinton County, New York Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Clinton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.8, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $28M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Clinton County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 68.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $560K in expected annual loss and about 0.55 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $22M in expected annual loss and about 2.36 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $28M in expected annual loss for a population of 80K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clinton County has a 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.
History supports the rating: Clinton County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 4 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2023.
Among 62 New York counties, Clinton County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.55 / yr | $560K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.36 / yr | $22M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.14 / yr | $235K |
| Lightning | Medium | 22.27 / yr | $521K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.58 / yr | $4K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.01 / yr | $234K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.59 / yr | $625K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $486 |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.18 / yr | $331K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.83 / yr | $728K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.04 / yr | $400K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $51K |
| 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
Clinton County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Snowstorm (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| July 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| June 2011 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clinton County?
Clinton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clinton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $560K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $22M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clinton County compare to other New York counties?
Clinton County ranks #33 of 62 New York counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clinton County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Clinton County since 1993, most often 4 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding, declared in July 2023.
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. Clinton County's $28M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.