Richmond County, New York Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NY
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Richmond County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.0, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $82M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Richmond County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 91.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 91st 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 heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at High risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 10.20 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 5.50 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $41M in expected annual loss and about 1.93 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $82M in expected annual loss for a population of 496K.
Beyond physical exposure, Richmond County has a high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Richmond County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida (hurricane), declared in September 2021.
Among 62 New York counties, Richmond County ranks #11 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | High | 10.20 / yr | $13M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.50 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.93 / yr | $41M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.16 / yr | $7M |
| Winter Weather | High | 8.77 / yr | $335K |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.48 / yr | $6M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $4M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.76 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 1.92 / yr | $440K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.75 / yr | $151K |
| Lightning | Medium | 33.13 / yr | $307K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $1K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $6K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Richmond 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 (4), 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 Richmond County?
Richmond County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Richmond County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (High, $13M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $41M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Richmond County compare to other New York counties?
Richmond County ranks #11 of 62 New York counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Richmond County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Richmond County since 1965, most often 9 for hurricane events and 4 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. Richmond County's $82M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.