riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Allegany County Disaster Risk

Allegany County, New York

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

70th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#32

of 62 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

85th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Allegany County, New York

Allegany's risk sits near the middle

With a composite risk score of 69.75 and a relatively low rating, Allegany County tracks close to the national average and is among the safer counties in its state. This moderate exposure means targeted insurance and preparedness can effectively manage your risk.

One of New York's calmer counties

At 69.75, Allegany sits right at New York's state average of 69.42, placing it in the middle tier of risk across the state. Several neighboring counties face notably higher exposure, making Allegany a relatively stable part of the region.

Lower risk than southern neighbors

Allegany County's score of 69.75 is considerably lower than Broome County (87.47) to the east and Chautauqua County (84.64) to the west. It's comparable to Cayuga County (61.51) and less risky than nearby Cattaraugus County (81.58).

Floods present the clearest concern

Flood risk dominates at 84.57, while tornado risk (41.51) and earthquake risk (26.97) remain well below state averages. Your primary focus should be understanding local flood maps and ensuring proper drainage around your home.

Prioritize flood coverage above all

With flood risk at 84.57, flood insurance is your essential protection—check FEMA's flood maps and consider coverage even outside high-risk zones. Standard homeowners insurance covers tornado and other hazards adequately, so your budget can focus on the flood gap.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Allegany County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    64th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    42th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Allegany County

Risk Verdict

Allegany County ranks at the 70th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Allegany County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 64th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (42th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Allegany County sits at the 85th percentile nationally for flood exposure. Knowing your property's flood zone designation — available at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center — is the first step toward understanding actual exposure and insurance options. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 64th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. Regardless of specific hazard, Allegany County households benefit from a practiced communication plan: a designated out-of-state contact and a pre-agreed evacuation destination established before the season's peak risk period.

Regional Context

The county's composite score diverges by only 0.3 points from the New York average, making Allegany County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Allegany County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Allegany County, NY?
Allegany County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Allegany County?
Allegany County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (85th percentile), hurricane (64th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 85th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Allegany County risk compare to the New York average?
Allegany County's composite risk percentile is 70th, compared to the New York state average of 69th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Allegany County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in New York.
Is Allegany County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Allegany County's flooding risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Allegany County higher risk than average?
Allegany County's composite risk score of 70th percentile is above the New York state average of 69th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (85th percentile), along with hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.