Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Schuylkill County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.3, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $49M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Schuylkill County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 85.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 85th national percentile and near the national midpoint 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 winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $727K in expected annual loss and about 14.37 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $36M in expected annual loss and about 1.79 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $49M in expected annual loss for a population of 143K.
Beyond physical exposure, Schuylkill County has a high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Schuylkill County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 7 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida (hurricane), declared in September 2021.
Among 67 Pennsylvania counties, Schuylkill County ranks #17 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 14.37 / yr | $727K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.79 / yr | $36M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.68 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $50K |
| Lightning | High | 34.62 / yr | $821K |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.05 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.63 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.53 / yr | $967K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $785K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.38 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $129K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $56K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $222 |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.25 / yr | $55K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Schuylkill County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Flood (7), Severe Storm (6), Hurricane (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| November 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2016 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Flood | Tropical Storm Lee |
| September 2011 | Flood | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| February 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Schuylkill County?
Schuylkill County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.3 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 Schuylkill County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $727K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $36M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Schuylkill County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Schuylkill County ranks #17 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Schuylkill County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Schuylkill County since 1965, most often 7 for flood events and 6 for severe storm 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. Schuylkill County's $49M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.