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

Schuyler County Disaster Risk

Schuyler County, New York

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

16th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#61

of 62 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

39th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Schuyler County, New York

Schuyler poses exceptionally low risk

Schuyler County scores just 16.25 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category and far below the national average. This reflects minimal exposure across virtually all hazard types, with all individual risk scores in the low-to-very-low range. Schuyler ranks among America's safest counties for natural disaster vulnerability.

New York's safest county

Schuyler County registers the lowest composite risk in New York at 16.25—76% below the state average of 69.42. No other New York county approaches this level of hazard safety. This exceptional position reflects Schuyler's inland location, distance from seismic zones, and minimal exposure to coastal and severe storm threats.

Dramatically safer than all peers

Schuyler (16.25) sits far below every surrounding county, including Schoharie (41.35), Saratoga (73.03), and Schenectady (71.28). This massive gap reflects Schuyler's unique geographic advantages within the Finger Lakes region. The county stands virtually alone at the safety end of the state risk spectrum.

Hurricane risk tops a low list

Even Schuyler's highest hazard—hurricane risk at 57.82—remains below the national average and reflects only distant coastal storm effects. Flood risk (39.09), tornado risk (22.14), and earthquake risk (19.66) all rank as minor concerns. Wildfire risk (6.93) is negligible across this inland county.

Standard coverage likely suffices

Schuyler's exceptional safety means a standard homeowners policy provides solid protection for most residents, with optional flood coverage only needed in specific flood-prone pockets. The county's minimal hazard exposure allows you to focus insurance dollars on other priorities. A brief conversation with your agent can confirm adequate coverage at competitive rates.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Schuyler County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    58th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    39th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    22th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Schuyler County

Risk Verdict

Schuyler County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 16th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 16th percentile, Schuyler County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Schuyler County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 39th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (22th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Schuyler County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 58th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Schuyler County's flood exposure at the 39th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Schuyler County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the New York county average, Schuyler County's composite score runs 53.2 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Schuyler 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 Schuyler County, NY?
Schuyler County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 16th 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 Schuyler County?
Schuyler County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (58th percentile), flooding (39th percentile), tornado (22th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 58th 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 Schuyler County risk compare to the New York average?
Schuyler County's composite risk percentile is 16th, compared to the New York state average of 69th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Schuyler County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in New York.
Is Schuyler County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Schuyler County's hurricane risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Schuyler County is at the 39th percentile.
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.
Is Schuyler County a safe place to live?
Schuyler County's composite risk score of 16th percentile is below the New York state average of 69th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 58th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.