Schoharie County, New York Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Schoharie County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.3, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Schoharie County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 41.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Schoharie County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $8K in expected annual loss and about 0.79 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 1.82 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $345K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 30K.
Beyond physical exposure, Schoharie 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: Schoharie County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1987, including 12 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Henri (hurricane), declared in August 2021.
Among 62 New York counties, Schoharie County ranks #56 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.79 / yr | $8K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.82 / yr | $11M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $345K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $662 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 20.48 / yr | $62K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $134K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.51 / yr | $44K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $616K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.80 / yr | $133K |
| Lightning | Low | 27.28 / yr | $104K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.95 / yr | $379K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.39 / yr | $135K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $33K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Schoharie County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1987, most recently Hurricane Henri in August 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Hurricane (6), Snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Henri |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Severe Storm | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| September 2011 | Severe Storm | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| April 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 29 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Schoharie County?
Schoharie County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 41.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Schoharie County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $8K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $11M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $345K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Schoharie County compare to other New York counties?
Schoharie County ranks #56 of 62 New York counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Schoharie County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Schoharie County since 1987, most often 12 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Henri, declared in August 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. Schoharie County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.