Oneida County, New York Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NY
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 86th
Oneida County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 86.3, 86th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $55M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Oneida County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 86.3 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 winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $868K in expected annual loss and about 30.72 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.26 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $39M in expected annual loss and about 2.29 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $55M in expected annual loss for a population of 232K.
Beyond physical exposure, Oneida County has a medium 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: Oneida County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 8 for severe storm events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (winter storm), declared in November 2022.
Among 62 New York counties, Oneida County ranks #17 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 30.72 / yr | $868K |
| Strong Wind | High | 1.26 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.29 / yr | $39M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.07 / yr | $926K |
| Lightning | High | 27.42 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 5.07 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.01 / yr | $539K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.56 / yr | $638K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.51 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 1.88 / yr | $177K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Oneida County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm in November 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Snowstorm (5), Flood (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| November 2022 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| October 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred |
| 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 |
| July 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Severe Storm | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| September 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 Oneida County?
Oneida County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 86.3 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 Oneida County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $868K EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $39M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Oneida County compare to other New York counties?
Oneida County ranks #17 of 62 New York counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Oneida County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Oneida County since 1972, most often 8 for severe storm events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, declared in November 2022.
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. Oneida County's $55M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.