Carbon County
Pennsylvania — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Carbon County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 59.4, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 34.04 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 1.89 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 17.84 / yr | $202K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.35 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.21 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $807K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.30 / yr | $7K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.93 / yr | $12M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.75 / yr | $90K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $238K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.16 / yr | $799K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.13 / yr | $54K |
| 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 Carbon County?
Carbon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 59.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Carbon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $202K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Carbon County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Carbon County ranks #46 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. Carbon County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.