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

Tioga County Disaster Risk

Tioga County, Pennsylvania

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

60th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#45

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

79th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Tioga County, Pennsylvania

Tioga County sits at moderate national risk

Tioga County's composite risk score of 59.76 places it in the middle range of U.S. counties, higher than many American communities but not in the highest-risk category. This moderate exposure reflects the county's vulnerability to multiple hazard types concentrated in Pennsylvania's northern geography.

Below state average but still exposed

Tioga County ranks below Pennsylvania's average of 67.45 with a score of 59.76, placing it in the relatively low-risk tier statewide. However, this position still reflects meaningful hazard exposure compared to Pennsylvania's safest counties like Sullivan.

Moderate risk in northern region

Tioga County (59.76) sits between Susquehanna County (53.59) and Warren County (65.55) in the regional risk hierarchy, driven by the county's exceptionally high flood risk of 78.94. Among northern Pennsylvania neighbors, Tioga faces the most substantial water-related hazards.

Flood risk is Tioga's primary concern

Tioga County's most pressing hazard is flood risk at 78.94, significantly above the state average and the highest among neighboring counties. Secondary concerns include hurricane risk (71.84) and moderate tornado risk (23.98), creating multiple exposure vectors for residents.

Flood insurance is not optional here

Tioga County residents must prioritize flood insurance given the county's exceptionally high flood score of 78.94—among the highest in Pennsylvania. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, making dedicated flood coverage a critical financial protection for this community.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tioga County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    31th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Tioga County

Risk Verdict

At the 60th percentile nationally, Tioga County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Tioga County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Tioga County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (31th percentile), tornado (24th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tioga County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 72th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. Tioga County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.

Regional Context

Compared to the Pennsylvania county average, Tioga County's composite score runs 7.7 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Tioga 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 Tioga County, PA?
Tioga County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 60th 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 Tioga County?
Tioga County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (79th percentile), hurricane (72th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile), tornado (24th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 79th 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 Tioga County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Tioga County's composite risk percentile is 60th, compared to the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Tioga County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Pennsylvania.
Is Tioga County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Tioga County's flooding risk is at the 79th 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.
Is Tioga County a safe place to live?
Tioga County's composite risk score of 60th 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 flooding at the 79th 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.