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

Monroe County Disaster Risk

Monroe County, New York

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

94th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#9

of 62 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

97th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Monroe County, New York

Monroe County faces substantially elevated national risk

With a composite risk score of 93.77, Monroe County ranks as Relatively Moderate—well above the U.S. average and among the nation's higher-risk counties. The county's Lake Ontario shoreline and urban density amplify exposure across multiple hazard types.

One of New York's highest-risk counties

Monroe County's 93.77 score places it 24 points above the state average of 69.42, making it among the state's top 10% highest-risk counties. Only a handful of New York counties face comparable multi-hazard exposure.

Far riskier than surrounding rural counties

Monroe County (93.77) dwarfs the risk of neighboring Livingston (56.36), Madison (59.38), and even Montgomery County (65.17). The dramatic difference reflects Rochester's concentrated urban exposure and the amplified effects of Lake Ontario climate patterns.

Flooding and tornadoes pose imminent dangers

Flood risk (96.69) and tornado risk (87.18) tower over other hazards, with earthquakes (84.10) and hurricanes (68.75) adding substantial secondary exposure. These four overlapping threats create a complex disaster landscape that demands layered preparation.

Comprehensive coverage essential for Monroe County

Flood insurance, earthquake coverage, and wind/hail endorsements should all be part of your insurance portfolio in Monroe County. Consider an umbrella policy for additional liability protection, and review coverage annually as your home's value and local flood zones change.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Monroe County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    97th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    87th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    84th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Monroe County

Risk Verdict

Monroe County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 94th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Monroe County.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Monroe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 87th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (84th percentile), hurricane (69th percentile), wildfire (47th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Monroe County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. The county's second-ranked hazard, tornado at the 87th percentile nationally, means Monroe County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Monroe County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.

Regional Context

Monroe County falls 24.3 points above New York's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Monroe 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 Monroe County, NY?
Monroe County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 94th 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 Monroe County?
Monroe County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (97th percentile), tornado (87th percentile), earthquake (84th percentile), hurricane (69th percentile), wildfire (47th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 97th 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 Monroe County risk compare to the New York average?
Monroe County's composite risk percentile is 94th, compared to the New York state average of 69th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Monroe County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in New York.
Is Monroe County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Monroe County's flooding risk is at the 97th 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 Monroe County higher risk than average?
Monroe County's composite risk score of 94th percentile is above the New York state average of 69th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (97th percentile), along with tornado and earthquake 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

Westchester County

New York

+2.4

Relatively High

96th percentile

Onondaga County

New York

-2.5

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Richmond County

New York

-2.8

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

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.

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