riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Chautauqua County Disaster Risk

Chautauqua County, New York

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

85th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#19

of 62 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

91th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Chautauqua County

Risk Verdict

Chautauqua County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 85th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is the dominant hazard for Chautauqua County, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 76th percentile. Additional hazards include hurricane (69th), earthquake (43th), wildfire (43th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Chautauqua County residents should review flood insurance needs (standard home insurance does not cover flood damage), know your evacuation zone, and keep important documents waterproofed. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Chautauqua County is significantly riskier than the average county in New York. Its composite risk score is 15.2 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

Is your home insured against Chautauqua County's risks?

Compare home and flood insurance quotes in minutes.

Get Quotes →

Sponsored

High flood risk area

Learn about NFIP flood insurance coverage for your property.

Learn More →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Chautauqua County, NY?
Chautauqua County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 85th 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 Chautauqua County?
Chautauqua County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (91th percentile), tornado (76th percentile), hurricane (69th percentile), earthquake (43th percentile), wildfire (43th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 91th 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 Chautauqua County risk compare to the New York average?
Chautauqua County's composite risk percentile is 85th, compared to the New York state average of 69th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Chautauqua County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in New York.
Is Chautauqua County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Chautauqua County's flooding risk is at the 91th 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 Chautauqua County higher risk than average?
Chautauqua County's composite risk score of 85th percentile is above the New York state average of 69th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (91th percentile), along with tornado and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Albany County

New York

+1.2

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

Niagara County

New York

-1.3

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

Delaware County

New York

-1.3

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

Explore more data for Chautauqua County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score