Bedford County
Pennsylvania — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 68th
Bedford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.2, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.68 / yr | $68K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.64 / yr | $21M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $1M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.43 / yr | $540K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $180K |
| Lightning | Low | 37.22 / yr | $163K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.90 / yr | $38K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.16 / yr | $122K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $127K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $20K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $348K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $15K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.84 / yr | $48K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| 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 Bedford County?
Bedford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bedford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $68K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $21M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bedford County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Bedford County ranks #35 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Bedford County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.