Bucks County, Pennsylvania Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PA
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 95th
Bucks County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 94.8, 95th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $203M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Bucks County is high, with a National Risk Index score of 94.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 95th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 1.43 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 12.32 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at High risk — $141M in expected annual loss and about 4.43 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $203M in expected annual loss for a population of 646K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bucks County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Bucks County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for hurricane events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida (hurricane), declared in September 2021.
Among 67 Pennsylvania counties, Bucks County ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.43 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 12.32 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 4.43 / yr | $141M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 9.64 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | High | 7.03 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $13M |
| Tornado | High | 0.29 / yr | $10M |
| Lightning | High | 33.98 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.89 / yr | $9M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.08 / yr | $7M |
| Drought | Medium | 3.94 / yr | $926K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 6.16 / yr | $922K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $3K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $78K |
| Hail | Low | 2.63 / yr | $215K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $42 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Bucks County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Flood (7), Severe Storm (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2016 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2013 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Flood | Tropical Storm Lee |
| September 2011 | Flood | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bucks County?
Bucks County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.8 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 95th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bucks County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $4M EAL), Winter Weather (Very High, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $141M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bucks County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Bucks County ranks #5 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bucks County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Bucks County since 1965, most often 8 for hurricane events and 7 for flood 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. Bucks County's $203M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.