Delaware County

New York — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Medium

Composite Risk Score

83.3

National percentile: 83th

Delaware County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.3, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $35M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 44K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Riverine Flood
Medium $31M/yr
Landslide
Medium $40K/yr
Hurricane
Low $902K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Riverine Flood Medium 2.29 / yr $31M
Landslide Medium 2.48 / yr $40K
Hurricane Low 0.03 / yr $902K
Winter Weather Medium 19.95 / yr $102K
Cold Wave Medium 5.00 / yr $1M
Avalanche Low 0.01 / yr $3K
Tornado Low 0.39 / yr $1M
Strong Wind Low 1.51 / yr $410K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $199K
Lightning Low 28.94 / yr $159K
Ice Storm Low 0.30 / yr $42K
Hail Low 2.58 / yr $118K
Heat Wave Very Low 1.11 / yr $49K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $5K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Delaware County?

Delaware County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Delaware County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $31M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $40K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $902K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Delaware County compare to other New York counties?

Delaware County ranks #21 of 62 New York counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Delaware County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.