Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Westmoreland County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.8, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $76M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Westmoreland County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 87.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 88th 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.
Most of Westmoreland County's expected losses come from lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 42.37 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at High risk — $66M in expected annual loss and about 4.82 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $72K in expected annual loss and about 1.67 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $76M in expected annual loss for a population of 354K.
Beyond physical exposure, Westmoreland County has a low 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Westmoreland County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1971, 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, Westmoreland County ranks #15 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 42.37 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 4.82 / yr | $66M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.67 / yr | $72K |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.41 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.66 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 17.59 / yr | $143K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $580K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $162K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.45 / yr | $622K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.34 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $64K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $369 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $13K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.44 / yr | $164K |
| 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
Westmoreland County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Snowstorm (5), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2016 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 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 |
| January 1996 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Westmoreland County?
Westmoreland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Westmoreland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $66M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $72K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Westmoreland County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Westmoreland County ranks #15 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Westmoreland County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Westmoreland County since 1971, 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. Westmoreland County's $76M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.