Cambria County

Pennsylvania — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

76.4

National percentile: 76th

Cambria County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.4, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $32M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 133K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Riverine Flood
Medium $24M/yr
Lightning
High $798K/yr
Landslide
Low $15K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Riverine Flood Medium 1.29 / yr $24M
Lightning High 38.14 / yr $798K
Landslide Low 0.73 / yr $15K
Hurricane Low 0.04 / yr $1M
Winter Weather Medium 24.06 / yr $144K
Strong Wind Medium 2.47 / yr $957K
Hail Low 1.81 / yr $541K
Cold Wave Medium 4.16 / yr $2M
Tornado Low 0.20 / yr $2M
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $411K
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr $543
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $25K
Ice Storm Low 0.21 / yr $43K
Heat Wave Very Low 0.42 / yr $63K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cambria County?

Cambria County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Cambria County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $24M EAL), Lightning (High, $798K EAL), Landslide (Low, $15K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Cambria County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?

Cambria County ranks #28 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. Cambria County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.