Greene County, Pennsylvania Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Greene County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.1, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Greene County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 55.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $60K in expected annual loss and about 1.41 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 1.86 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $274K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 36K.
Beyond physical exposure, Greene County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Greene County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 4 for flood events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 67 Pennsylvania counties, Greene County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.41 / yr | $60K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.86 / yr | $15M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $274K |
| Hail | Low | 2.92 / yr | $379K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.49 / yr | $258K |
| Drought | Low | 1.52 / yr | $56K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $134K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $619K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.03 / yr | $304K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.36 / yr | $26K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.63 / yr | $308K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.89 / yr | $72K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $22 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.21 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Greene County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Hurricane (3), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| April 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| September 2004 | Hurricane | Tropical Depression Ivan |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Snow |
| July 1996 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| January 1996 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Greene County?
Greene County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Greene County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $60K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $15M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $274K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Greene County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Greene County ranks #51 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Greene County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Greene County since 1972, most often 4 for flood events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Greene County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.