Livingston County Disaster Risk
Livingston County, New York
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
56th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#47
of 62 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
73th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 18% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 41% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Livingston County, New York
Livingston County slightly below national disaster risk average
At 56.36, Livingston County's composite risk score sits modestly below the U.S. average, earning a Relatively Low rating. While safer than most disaster-prone regions, the county still faces meaningful exposure to multiple hazards.
Mid-tier risk rank in New York State
Livingston County's 56.36 score ranks it well below New York's 69.42 state average, placing it in the safer half of counties statewide. However, it carries notably more risk than neighboring Lewis County, reflecting different geographic vulnerabilities.
Less exposed than Madison and Montgomery neighbors
Livingston County (56.36) faces lower overall risk than Madison County (59.38) and Montgomery County (65.17), but higher exposure than Lewis County (24.71). The county's position reflects a transitional zone between the low-risk rural north and higher-risk central regions.
Flooding and tornadoes pose the largest threats
Flood risk (73.35) and tornado risk (39.79) significantly outpace wildfire risk (17.65) in Livingston County. Earthquakes (41.32) and hurricanes (57.32) add secondary exposure, reflecting the county's vulnerability to weather extremes.
Flood and wind coverage are priorities here
Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, making a separate flood insurance policy essential for Livingston County residents. Wind and hail coverage should be verified in your standard policy, particularly given the county's tornado exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Livingston County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Livingston County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 56th, Livingston County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Livingston County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (41th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With flood risk ranking at the 73th percentile nationally, Livingston County residents face one of the most financially damaging hazards without specialized coverage. Flood insurance through the NFIP or a private carrier is worth evaluating regardless of current mortgage requirements. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 57th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. Registering for Livingston County's county emergency alert system — typically through the county emergency management office's website — ensures households receive early warning when flood events develop faster than forecast.
Regional Context
Livingston County falls 13.1 points below New York's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.
Is your household prepared for Livingston County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Livingston County, NY?
What types of natural hazards affect Livingston County?
How does Livingston County risk compare to the New York average?
Is Livingston County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Livingston 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.