Wyoming County, New York Natural Disaster Risk

FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NY

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

41.3

National percentile: 41th

Wyoming County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.3, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Risk Overview

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wyoming County at very low composite risk, 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.

The county's risk is driven primarily by riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 1.00 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $311K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $138K in expected annual loss and about 1.48 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 41K.

Beyond physical exposure, Wyoming County has a low 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.

History supports the rating: Wyoming County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 8 for snowstorm events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (winter storm), declared in November 2022.

Among 62 New York counties, Wyoming County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.

Expected Annual Loss $15M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 41K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Low $12M/yr
Low $311K/yr
Low $138K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Riverine Flood Low 1.00 / yr$12M
Hurricane Low 0.02 / yr$311K
Ice Storm Low 1.48 / yr$138K
Hail Low 1.06 / yr$377K
Drought Low 1.23 / yr$241K
Lightning Low 30.85 / yr$301K
Landslide Very Low 0.23 / yr$867
Winter Weather Low 32.82 / yr$53K
Strong Wind Low 1.74 / yr$436K
Cold Wave Low 3.74 / yr$514K
Tornado Low 0.08 / yr$569K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr$56K
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr$80
Heat Wave Very Low 1.00 / yr$47K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr$5K
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr$0
Tsunami Very Low 0.00 / yr$0
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr$0

Disaster History

Wyoming County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm in November 2022. Most frequent causes: Snowstorm (8), Severe Storm (4), Flood (3).

DeclaredTypeDisaster
November 2022Winter StormSevere Winter Storm and Snowstorm
March 2020BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
March 2020BiologicalCovid-19
December 2014SnowstormSevere Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding
October 2012HurricaneHurricane Sandy
June 2011FloodSevere Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds
September 2005HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
August 2004Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
August 2003Severe StormSevere Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
August 2003OtherPower Outage

Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.

Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wyoming County?

Wyoming 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 Wyoming County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Low, $12M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $311K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $138K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Wyoming County compare to other New York counties?

Wyoming County ranks #57 of 62 New York counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.

How many federally declared disasters has Wyoming County had?

FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Wyoming County since 1972, most often 8 for snowstorm events and 4 for severe storm 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. Wyoming County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.