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

Fulton County Disaster Risk

Fulton County, Pennsylvania

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

8th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#67

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

21th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% 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

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Fulton County, Pennsylvania

Fulton County ranks among America's safest

With a composite risk score of just 7.76, Fulton County sits in the bottom 1% nationally for natural disaster risk—an exceptional "Very Low" rating. This score places Fulton among the most secure counties in the entire United States.

Second-safest county in Pennsylvania

Fulton's 7.76 score is the second-lowest in Pennsylvania, falling far below the state average of 67.45. Only Forest County offers even lower disaster risk in the commonwealth.

Safer than all adjacent counties

Fulton's 7.76 composite score dramatically outperforms neighboring Huntingdon (50.25), Franklin (76.40), and Maryland counties. The county's rural, inland location away from seismic zones and storm tracks drives this exceptional safety.

Hurricane risk the only notable concern

Even in ultra-low-risk Fulton, hurricane risk registers at 71.21—still moderate but exceptional for Pennsylvania's interior. All other hazards score well below state averages, with wildfire (22.77) and tornado (15.49) risks minimal.

Standard insurance meets your needs

Fulton County residents can confidently rely on basic homeowner's insurance without specialized riders for floods or earthquakes. An annual policy review suffices; Fulton offers some of the lowest natural disaster risk in the nation.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Fulton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    71th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    34th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    23th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Fulton County

Risk Verdict

Fulton County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 8th percentile nationally. At the 8th percentile, Fulton 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 Fulton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 71th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 34th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (23th percentile), flood (21th percentile), tornado (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 71th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Fulton County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 34th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Fulton County independent of hurricane season. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Fulton County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Fulton County falls 59.7 points below Pennsylvania's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Fulton 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 Fulton County, PA?
Fulton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 8th 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 Fulton County?
Fulton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (71th percentile), earthquake (34th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile), flooding (21th percentile), tornado (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 71th 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 Fulton County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Fulton County's composite risk percentile is 8th, compared to the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Fulton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Pennsylvania.
Is Fulton County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Fulton County's hurricane risk is at the 71th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Fulton County is at the 21th 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 Fulton County a safe place to live?
Fulton County's composite risk score of 8th percentile is below the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 71th 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.