Ulster County
New York — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Ulster County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.7, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $67M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.72 / yr | $101K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.64 / yr | $45M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.86 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.34 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.06 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | High | 29.48 / yr | $887K |
| Hail | Medium | 2.71 / yr | $994K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.45 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.62 / yr | $246K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 17.48 / yr | $119K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.38 / yr | $750K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.76 / yr | $221K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| Drought | Low | 0.57 / yr | $137K |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ulster County?
Ulster County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ulster County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $101K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $45M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ulster County compare to other New York counties?
Ulster County ranks #15 of 62 New York counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
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. Ulster County's $67M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.