riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Lancaster County Disaster Risk

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

95th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#4

of 67 (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

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Lancaster County

Risk Verdict

Lancaster County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is the dominant hazard for Lancaster County, scoring in the 97th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 95th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (94th), tornado (80th), wildfire (37th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Lancaster County residents should review flood insurance needs (standard home insurance does not cover flood damage), know your evacuation zone, and keep important documents waterproofed. Secondary risks such as hurricane also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Lancaster County is significantly riskier than the average county in Pennsylvania. Its composite risk score is 27.6 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lancaster County, PA?
Lancaster County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 95th 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 Lancaster County?
Lancaster County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (97th percentile), hurricane (95th percentile), earthquake (94th percentile), tornado (80th percentile), wildfire (37th 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 Lancaster County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Lancaster County's composite risk percentile is 95th, compared to the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lancaster County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Pennsylvania.
Is Lancaster County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Lancaster 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 Lancaster County higher risk than average?
Lancaster County's composite risk score of 95th percentile is above the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (97th percentile), along with hurricane and earthquake and tornado 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

Bucks County

Pennsylvania

-0.3

Relatively High

95th percentile

Lehigh County

Pennsylvania

-1.1

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

Montgomery County

Pennsylvania

+1.8

Relatively High

97th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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