Fulton County, New York Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Fulton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 48.6, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Fulton County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 48.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 49th 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 riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 1.14 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $356K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $154K in expected annual loss and about 0.64 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 53K.
Beyond physical exposure, Fulton 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Fulton County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 7 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 62 New York counties, Fulton County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $12M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $356K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.64 / yr | $154K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 22.13 / yr | $97K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.41 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $437K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.22 / yr | $641K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $1K |
| Lightning | Low | 24.47 / yr | $205K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.11 / yr | $918K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.36 / yr | $133K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.44 / yr | $124K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $19 |
| 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
Fulton County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Snowstorm (3), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| December 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| July 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Fulton County?
Fulton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 48.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fulton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Low, $12M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $356K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $154K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fulton County compare to other New York counties?
Fulton County ranks #53 of 62 New York counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Fulton County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Fulton County since 1993, most often 7 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Fulton County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.