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

Juniata County Disaster Risk

Juniata County, Pennsylvania

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

39th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#60

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

60th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Juniata County, Pennsylvania

Juniata County faces minimal disaster risk

Juniata County's composite risk score of 38.80 earns a "Very Low" rating—the safest category. This score is significantly below Pennsylvania's 67.45 average and puts Juniata among the lowest-risk counties in the nation.

Pennsylvania's lowest-risk county

With a composite score of 38.80, Juniata ranks as the safest or near-safest county in Pennsylvania for natural disaster risk. This reflects relatively low exposure to flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other major hazards across the region.

Safer than surrounding counties

Juniata's 38.80 score is substantially lower than Perry County (48.90) and Mifflin County (52.30), making it a notably safer region. Even when compared to the state average of 67.45, Juniata residents enjoy significantly reduced disaster exposure.

Hurricane and flood risks dominate

Juniata's most elevated hazards are hurricane risk (76.72) and flood risk (60.27), though these remain moderate in absolute terms. Tornado, earthquake, and wildfire risks are all well below 40, indicating that major multi-hazard events are relatively unlikely.

Basic flood preparedness covers most needs

While Juniata's overall risk is low, flood insurance is still wise given a 60.27 flood risk score and Pennsylvania's seasonal rainfall patterns. Focus on basic home maintenance—clean gutters, proper drainage, and a solid roof—to handle the county's modest hazard exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Juniata County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    77th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    60th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Juniata County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Juniata County ranks at the 39th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Being ranked at the 39th percentile nationally is an advantage for Juniata County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Juniata County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 60th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (38th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 77th percentile nationally, Juniata County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Juniata County's flood exposure at the 60th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Juniata County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 28.6 points below the Pennsylvania state average, Juniata County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Juniata 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 Juniata County, PA?
Juniata County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 39th 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 Juniata County?
Juniata County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (77th percentile), flooding (60th percentile), earthquake (38th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 77th 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 Juniata County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Juniata County's composite risk percentile is 39th, compared to the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Juniata County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Pennsylvania.
Is Juniata County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Juniata County's hurricane risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Juniata County is at the 60th 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 Juniata County a safe place to live?
Juniata County's composite risk score of 39th 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 77th 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.