Chemung County Disaster Risk
Chemung County, New York
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
55th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#50
of 62 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
72th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 23% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 53% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 43% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Chemung County, New York
Chemung ranks among safer U.S. counties
With a composite risk score of 54.77 and a relatively low rating, Chemung County sits well below the national average in disaster exposure. This favorable position allows for more selective insurance and preparedness strategies.
One of New York's safest counties
Chemung's 54.77 score ranks among the lowest in New York, sitting notably below the state average of 69.42. It consistently underperforms the state on major hazard categories, making it one of the safer regions to live in.
Safest county in its region
Chemung County's 54.77 score is the lowest among nearby counties, including Broome (87.47), Cattaraugus (81.58), and Allegany (69.75). Its inland location and terrain provide natural protection from major disaster exposure.
Floods present the primary concern
Flood risk at 72.17 is your main hazard, though tornado risk (52.83) and hurricane risk (66.33) both remain moderate and manageable. Chemung's location along river corridors creates seasonal flood vulnerability despite its generally safer profile.
Basic flood coverage is prudent
While Chemung faces lower overall risk, flood insurance at 72.17 remains smart protection since standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. A solid homeowners policy covering wind and liability should adequately address your remaining hazards in this relatively safe county.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Chemung County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Chemung County
Risk Verdict
Chemung County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Chemung County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Chemung County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (53th percentile), earthquake (43th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Chemung County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 66th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. For most Chemung County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.
Regional Context
The New York county average exceeds Chemung County's score by 14.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Chemung County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Chemung County, NY?
What types of natural hazards affect Chemung County?
How does Chemung County risk compare to the New York average?
Is Chemung County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Chemung County a safe place to live?
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.