Potter County Disaster Risk
Potter County, Pennsylvania
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
28th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#62
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
55th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 55% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 3% 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 21% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Potter County, Pennsylvania
Potter County is Pennsylvania's safest county
Potter County's composite risk score of 28.15 is the lowest in Pennsylvania and well below the state average of 67.45, placing it in the very low-risk category nationally. The county experiences minimal exposure to wildfires (3.31), tornadoes (15.04), earthquakes (21.12), and most other hazards.
Exceptional resilience across all hazard types
Potter County stands alone in Pennsylvania for comprehensive low risk, ranking safest among all 67 state counties across nearly every hazard category. Its wildfire risk of just 3.31 is the lowest in the state, and tornado, earthquake, and hurricane risks all remain well below state averages.
Far safer than all regional peers
Potter County's 28.15 score is roughly half that of Snyder County (54.29), its closest peer, and dramatically lower than Northumberland (79.17), Schuylkill (85.31), and Pike (65.87). The county's rural, less-developed character and inland position create a uniquely protected hazard profile.
Floods are the only moderate concern
Potter County's sole area of elevated risk is flooding (55.25), which remains below state average but reflects the county's river valleys and precipitation patterns. All other hazards—wildfire (3.31), tornado (15.04), earthquake (21.12), and hurricane (58.16)—score exceptionally low.
Basic flood insurance provides ample protection
Potter County's low overall risk means residents can focus narrowly on flood preparedness: those in flood-prone areas should secure flood insurance, while others may face minimal need for catastrophe coverage. Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for the county's minimal wildfire, tornado, and earthquake exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Potter County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Potter County
Risk Verdict
Potter County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 28th percentile nationally. A 28th percentile score positions Potter County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Potter County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (21th percentile), tornado (15th percentile), wildfire (3th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane risk is Potter County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 58th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 55th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Potter County independent of hurricane season. Potter County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.
Regional Context
The Pennsylvania county average exceeds Potter County's score by 39.3 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Potter County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Potter County, PA?
What types of natural hazards affect Potter County?
How does Potter County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Is Potter County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Potter County a safe place to live?
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.