Somerset County, Pennsylvania Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Somerset County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.2, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Somerset County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 64.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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 Low risk — $17K in expected annual loss and about 1.12 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $18M in expected annual loss and about 1.79 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $657K in expected annual loss and about 39.66 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 74K.
Beyond physical exposure, Somerset County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Somerset County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 for flood events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 67 Pennsylvania counties, Somerset County ranks #42 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.12 / yr | $17K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.79 / yr | $18M |
| Lightning | Medium | 39.66 / yr | $657K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 26.22 / yr | $154K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $721K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.73 / yr | $715K |
| Hail | Low | 2.30 / yr | $377K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $315K |
| Drought | Low | 0.31 / yr | $141K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $335 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.31 / yr | $631K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.29 / yr | $29K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $58K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.11 / yr | $95K |
| 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
Somerset County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Snowstorm (5), Hurricane (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2016 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| January 2013 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Flood | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| April 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances |
| September 2004 | Hurricane | Tropical Depression Ivan |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Somerset County?
Somerset County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Somerset County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $17K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $18M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $657K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Somerset County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Somerset County ranks #42 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Somerset County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Somerset County since 1972, most often 6 for flood events and 5 for snowstorm 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. Somerset County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.