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

Wayne County Disaster Risk

Wayne County, Pennsylvania

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

56th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#48

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

71th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wayne County, Pennsylvania

Wayne County faces moderate national risk

Wayne County scores 56.33 nationally, placing it in the moderate range of U.S. disaster vulnerability. While not among the highest-risk American communities, this profile indicates meaningful natural hazard exposure requiring active household preparation and awareness.

Below state average but still exposed

Wayne County ranks below Pennsylvania's average of 67.45 with a score of 56.33, placing it in the relatively low-risk tier statewide. The county performs better than most of its Pennsylvania peers on composite disaster vulnerability metrics.

Mid-range risk in northeastern region

Wayne County (56.33) sits between Sullivan County (10.72) and Susquehanna County (53.59) in the northeastern Pennsylvania risk hierarchy, driven by moderate flood (71.31) and hurricane (75.97) risk. The county's earthquake exposure (47.55) also ranks above several regional neighbors.

Hurricane and flood risks dominate

Wayne County's primary hazards are hurricane risk (75.97) and flood risk (71.31), both well above the state average and creating significant water-related exposure. Earthquake risk (47.55) and tornado risk (30.44) present secondary concerns for households in the county.

Flood and windstorm coverage essential

Wayne County residents should secure dedicated flood insurance plus comprehensive homeowners coverage, given the county's high hurricane risk (75.97) and flood risk (71.31). This dual-protection strategy ensures financial resilience against the county's primary natural hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wayne County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    71th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    48th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wayne County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 56th, Wayne County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Wayne County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (48th percentile), tornado (30th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 76th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Wayne 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. Wayne County's flood exposure at the 71th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Wayne County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Wayne County falls 11.1 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 Wayne 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 Wayne County, PA?
Wayne County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 56th 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 Wayne County?
Wayne County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (76th percentile), flooding (71th percentile), earthquake (48th percentile), tornado (30th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 76th 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 Wayne County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Wayne County's composite risk percentile is 56th, compared to the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wayne County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Pennsylvania.
Is Wayne County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Wayne County's hurricane risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Wayne County is at the 71th 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 Wayne County a safe place to live?
Wayne County's composite risk score of 56th 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 76th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Venango County

Pennsylvania

-0.7

Relatively Low

56th percentile

Union County

Pennsylvania

-1.1

Relatively Low

55th percentile

Greene County

Pennsylvania

-1.2

Relatively Low

55th percentile

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.

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