Monroe County
Pennsylvania — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Monroe County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.1, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $57M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Very High | 32.12 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 3.21 / yr | $12M |
| Winter Weather | High | 17.95 / yr | $562K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.18 / yr | $33M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.05 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.61 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.60 / yr | $301K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.89 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.47 / yr | $7K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $109 |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.24 / yr | $59K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.03 / 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 Monroe County?
Monroe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Monroe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Very High, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $12M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $562K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Monroe County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Monroe County ranks #18 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Monroe County's $57M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.