Broome County Disaster Risk
Broome County, New York
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
87th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#16
of 62 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
93th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Broome County, New York
Broome ranks among higher-risk counties
With a composite risk score of 87.47 and a relatively moderate rating, Broome County faces above-average disaster exposure compared to the nation. Multiple hazards converge here, making preparedness a shared county priority.
Well above average for New York
Broome's 87.47 score significantly exceeds New York's 69.42 average, placing it in the upper tier of the state's at-risk counties. Only a handful of New York counties face higher composite risk.
Riskier than most surrounding counties
Broome County's 87.47 score surpasses Chemung County (54.77) to the south and Cayuga County (61.51) to the northwest, though it ranks slightly above Albany County (85.88). Its location along the Susquehanna River valley amplifies flood exposure relative to neighboring regions.
Flooding poses the greatest hazard
Flood risk soars to 93.19—among the state's highest—followed by tornado risk at 83.59 and hurricane risk at 77.85. Broome's position along major river systems and its basin geography make flood preparedness critically important.
Flood insurance cannot wait
With flood risk at 93.19, flood insurance is essential regardless of your proximity to mapped floodplains—many damaging floods occur outside official zones. Pair this with a solid homeowners policy covering wind and tornado damage, and annually review your emergency plan.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Broome County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Broome County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard risk in Broome County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 87th. Broome County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Broome County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (78th percentile), earthquake (69th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With flood ranked as the primary hazard at the 93th percentile nationally, Broome County households should build a go-bag that includes important documents, medications, and supplies to sustain the family for at least three days if evacuation is needed. The county's second-ranked hazard, tornado at the 84th percentile nationally, means Broome County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. A waterproof container for documents (insurance policies, ID, prescriptions) and a clear household communication plan for when phone networks are congested are the two highest-value low-cost preparedness steps for Broome County households.
Regional Context
A composite score 18.0 points above the New York state average puts Broome County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Broome County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Broome County, NY?
What types of natural hazards affect Broome County?
How does Broome County risk compare to the New York average?
Is Broome County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Broome County higher risk than average?
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.