Queens County, New York Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NY
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 99th
Queens County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 99.2, 99th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $377M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Queens County carries a high composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 99.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 99th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Queens County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Very High risk — $46M in expected annual loss and about 0.52 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Very High risk — $58M in expected annual loss and about 10.59 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Very High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 5.39 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $377M in expected annual loss for a population of 2.4M.
Beyond physical exposure, Queens County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Queens County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida (hurricane), declared in September 2021.
Among 62 New York counties, Queens County ranks #2 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Very High | 0.52 / yr | $46M |
| Heat Wave | Very High | 10.59 / yr | $58M |
| Strong Wind | Very High | 5.39 / yr | $10M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 9.47 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Very High | 3.29 / yr | $185M |
| Earthquake | High | 0.00 / yr | $35M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.16 / yr | $25M |
| Coastal Flood | Very High | 4.36 / yr | $9M |
| Lightning | High | 28.67 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | High | 1.89 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.74 / yr | $662K |
| Tornado | High | 0.06 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $909 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $112 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Queens County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Severe Storm (3), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Henri |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Queens County?
Queens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 99.2 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 99th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Queens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Very High, $46M EAL), Heat Wave (Very High, $58M EAL), Strong Wind (Very High, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Queens County compare to other New York counties?
Queens County ranks #2 of 62 New York counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Queens County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Queens County since 1965, most often 9 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida, declared in September 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. Queens County's $377M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.