FEMA Records
39
Very high volume
New York · FEMA + NOAA + National Risk Index
Delaware County, NY
39 FEMA disaster declarations (1965-2024), with a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate. Most common hazard: Severe Storm.
- 39
- FEMA declarations
- 27
- Major disasters
- 83
- NRI risk · Relatively Moderate
- Severe Storm
- Top hazard
The verdict
Two federal records point in the busier direction for Delaware County. Its 39 FEMA declarations are 59% above the New York county mean and exceed the count for 96% of the 3,266 counties in this registry. Separately, FEMA's National Risk Index places it in the riskiest 17%, based on modeled expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
- Riskiest 17%
- of U.S. counties for FEMA National Risk Index score
- Relatively Moderate
- FEMA National Risk Index rating
- 39
- FEMA declarations vs 21 national county avg
- 1,290
- NFIP flood insurance claims filed
FEMA's National Risk Index and its declaration registry are separate measures. This county's registry includes Major Disaster (DR) and Emergency (EM) records; an EM authorizes a narrower set of federal assistance than a DR.
FEMA OpenFEMA declaration desk
County FIPS 36025 · Delaware County 39 declarations · rank 116/3,266
DECL-HEAVY · MAJOR-MID · RANK-UPPER · PHOTO-FINISH · NRI-MID · ACT-HIGH · TYPE-LEAD · VS-ST-HIGH
- DECL-HEAVY 39
- MAJOR-MID 69%
- RANK-UPPER #116
- PHOTO-FINISH Canadian
- NRI-MID 83
- ACT-HIGH High
- TYPE-LEAD Severe Storm
- VS-ST-HIGH +59%
Nearest declaration peer: Canadian, OK (0 declaration gap)
FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 filing stamps for this county register. Read with this county → · New York state profile
Delaware County among high-volume declaration counties
FEMA declaration records among Delaware County and nearest peers by total count
- Los Angeles · largest
Los Angeles · largest
88 declarations
- Cameron · near
Cameron · near
39 declarations
- Canadian · near
Canadian · near
39 declarations
- Delaware · this county
Delaware · this county
39 declarations
- Orange · near
Orange · near
39 declarations
- Ujelang · smallest 1
Ujelang · smallest
1 declarations
What this shows Delaware County carries 39 FEMA declaration records, ranked 116 of 3,266 counties in this registry.
Where Delaware County ranks in the national declaration registry
Delaware County vs. high-volume counties in this registry
FEMA disaster declarations, all-time · Delaware County
39 Top 4% higher than 96% of 3,266 counties
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 · 2026-08-25
Delaware County's FEMA Risk Index score
What does Delaware County's hazard record show?
Reading the federal records together
FEMA's NFIP table contains a substantial paid-claim history for this county: 1,290 claims and $39.6M in payments. PlainHazard labels 500 or more claims a heavy registry record; that is a reporting bucket, not an official FEMA risk grade. The average paid claim was $30.7K. NFIP totals exclude uninsured flood losses and do not measure how many properties currently carry a policy.
The declaration register points in the busier direction. Delaware County's 39 federal records stand 59% above the New York county mean of 24.5. That comparison describes how often federal action was recorded, including any Major Disaster, Emergency, and Fire Management entries shown on this page; it does not convert the count into future probability.
FEMA National Risk Index
This county sits among the highest-risk counties nationally on FEMA's National Risk Index, a composite score of 83.3/100 (Relatively Moderate). Expected Annual Loss is rated Relatively Low (roughly $35.5M in annualized losses). Social vulnerability reads Very High and community resilience Relatively High, both critical modifiers of realized harm here. Among the 18 modeled hazards, Riverine Flooding carries the county's highest rating, a mid-range Relatively Moderate. FEMA's modeled frequency puts that hazard at an average of 2.3 times per year here, based on 64 historical events on record.
85 /100
Historical Activity Index
Very High historical activity
Delaware County, NY · PlainHazard-derived composite from federal records
This 0–100 index is an explicit PlainHazard composite from FEMA declaration history only on the county surface (this DB has no county-level NOAA damage row) . It is not FEMA's National Risk Index, not a forecast, and not a safety, insurance, or preparedness rating. Open the calculator · Methodology
FEMA Declarations (1953–present) Very High
28/30
39 OpenFEMA declarations, full ingest window (1.9x national county average)
County Disaster Density Very High
20/25
39 declarations (1.6x state county average of 25)
Major Disaster Share High
17/25
27 of 39 declarations are major disasters (69%)
Hazard Diversity Very High
20/20
9 different disaster types declared in Delaware County
FEMA NRI 8-hazard radar - Delaware County
How to read this radar
Each axis: NRI risk rating (Very Low-Very High) on a 0-100 scale. Rounder = broad exposure; spiky = one or two hazards dominate.
Major Disaster share
69%
Major-heavy
NRI risk score
83
Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index Per-county per-hazard ratings, December 2025 release
How often does each hazard strike Delaware County?
FEMA's National Risk Index models a historical event count and an annualized frequency for each hazard type. Most hazards are expressed as modeled occurrences per year; FEMA expresses drought and heat-wave frequency as event-days per year. These modeled frequencies are not forecasts.
| Hazard | NRI Risk Rating | Recurrence |
|---|---|---|
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | an average of 2.3 times per year |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | an average of 2.5 times per year |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | roughly once every 36 years |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | an average of 20 times per year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | an average of 5 times per year |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low | roughly once every 100 years |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | roughly once every 3 years |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | an average of 1.5 times per year |
| Earthquake | Very Low | roughly once every 1,471 years |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | an average of 29 times per year |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | roughly once every 3 years |
| Hail | Relatively Low | an average of 2.6 times per year |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.1 modeled event-days per year |
| Wildfire | Very Low | roughly once every 45,543 years |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index Modeled annualized frequency; drought and heat wave use event-days/year, December 2025 release
Disaster Types
Severe Storm 15
Flood 7
Hurricane 5
Snowstorm 5
Biological 2
Other 2
Tropical Storm 1
Fire 1
Drought 1
What Severe Storm declarations mean here
Severe Storm is the most frequent declaration type on Delaware County's record, 38% of its declarations. In FEMA's vocabulary this covers convective weather: thunderstorm straight-line winds, large hail, and the multi-day outbreaks that often carry embedded tornadoes. Activity is heaviest in spring and summer, though the season varies by region.
These events behave differently from a hurricane on paper. Damage tends to be distributed along a storm track rather than concentrated on a coastline, and a declaration typically follows an outbreak that crossed several counties over a few days, not a single point of impact. Because the qualifying threshold is the cost of uninsured public and individual losses rather than storm intensity, two similar storms can produce a declaration in one year and none in another.
Declaration counts describe past federal action. They are a record of what was declared, not a forecast of future hazard probability.
Declaration Types
What DR / EM / FM mean
FEMA categorizes declarations as Major Disasters (DR), Emergencies (EM), or Fire Management Assistance (FM).
Major Disaster - 27 69.2%
of all 39 declarations
Emergency - 12 30.8%
of all 39 declarations
FEMA Declarations Timeline
| Year | Declarations | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 2 | |
| 2011 | 5 | |
| 2009 | 2 | |
| 2007 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 4 | |
| 2004 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 4 | |
| 2001 | 2 | |
Show 8 earlier declaration years
| 1998 | 1 | |
| 1997 | 1 | |
| 1996 | 2 | |
| 1993 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 1 | |
| 1973 | 1 | |
| 1970 | 1 | |
| 1965 | 1 | |
Disaster Declarations
How the 39 FEMA declarations break into federal action codes (DR / EM / FM). Same DISTINCT grain as the table below.
Download these 39 declarations as CSV . FEMA source data is public domain; our derived presentation is CC0.
| DR# | Title | Type | Incident | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4825 | REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM DEBBY | DR | Tropical Storm | 2024-09-24 |
| 3565 | HURRICANE HENRI | EM | Hurricane | 2021-08-22 |
| 4480 | COVID-19 PANDEMIC | DR | Biological | 2020-03-20 |
| 3434 | COVID-19 | EM | Biological | 2020-03-13 |
| 4397 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Flood | 2018-10-01 |
| 4322 | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM | DR | Snowstorm | 2017-07-12 |
| 4180 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2014-07-08 |
| 4129 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Flood | 2013-07-12 |
| 3351 | HURRICANE SANDY | EM | Hurricane | 2012-10-28 |
| 4031 | REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE | DR | Severe Storm | 2011-09-13 |
| 3341 | REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE | EM | Severe Storm | 2011-09-08 |
| 4020 | HURRICANE IRENE | DR | Hurricane | 2011-08-31 |
| 3328 | HURRICANE IRENE | EM | Hurricane | 2011-08-26 |
| 1993 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, TORNADOES, AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS | DR | Flood | 2011-06-10 |
| 1827 | SEVERE WINTER STORM | DR | Severe Storm | 2009-03-04 |
| 3299 | SEVERE WINTER STORM | EM | Severe Storm | 2008-12-18 |
| 1710 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2007-07-02 |
| 1670 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2006-12-12 |
| 1650 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2006-07-01 |
| 3262 | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION | EM | Hurricane | 2005-09-30 |
Show 19 earlier declaration records
| DR# | Title | Type | Incident | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1589 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2005-04-19 |
| 1565 | TROPICAL DEPRESSION IVAN | DR | Severe Storm | 2004-10-01 |
| 1564 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2004-10-01 |
| 1534 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 2004-08-03 |
| 1486 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES | DR | Severe Storm | 2003-08-29 |
| 3186 | POWER OUTAGE | EM | Other | 2003-08-23 |
| 3184 | SNOW | EM | Snowstorm | 2003-03-27 |
| 3173 | SNOWSTORMS | EM | Snowstorm | 2003-02-25 |
| 1391 | FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS | DR | Fire | 2001-09-11 |
| 3155 | WEST NILE VIRUS | EM | Other | 2000-10-11 |
| 1233 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 1998-07-07 |
| 1148 | SEVERE STORMS HIGH WINDS, RAIN AND FLOODING | DR | Severe Storm | 1996-12-09 |
| 1095 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1996-01-24 |
| 1083 | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) | DR | Snowstorm | 1996-01-12 |
| 3107 | SEVERE BLIZZARD | EM | Snowstorm | 1993-03-17 |
| 792 | FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1987-05-15 |
| 401 | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1973-07-20 |
| 290 | HEAVY RAINS & FLOODING | DR | Flood | 1970-07-22 |
| 204 | WATER SHORTAGE | DR | Drought | 1965-08-18 |
Storm Events in New York
Statewide NOAA context only. PlainHazard does not currently attribute these state totals to Delaware County.
| Storm Type | Events | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind | 8,295 | 6 | 45 | $45.0M |
| Winter Weather | 2,261 | 7 | 17 | $705.5K |
| Flash Flood | 1,775 | 23 | 3 | $674.3M |
| Strong Wind | 1,399 | 2 | 12 | $9.2M |
| Winter Storm | 1,228 | 13 | 2 | $4.9M |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database State-level aggregated data, 2015-2025
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims
Total Claims
1,290
Total Paid
$39.6M
Avg Per Claim
$30.7K
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) OpenFEMA Claims Data
FEMA National Risk Index
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Score: 83.3/100
Expected Annual Loss
Relatively Low
$35.5M/year
Social Vulnerability
Very High
Community Resilience
Relatively High
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Riverine Flooding Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Relatively Low
Tornado Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Drought No Rating
Source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) Ratings reflect relative scores among all US counties. Data: hazards.fema.gov/nri
The model's sharpest exposure here: Riverine Flooding
Riverine Flooding is the model's measure of a watershed draining more water than its channel can carry. Unlike flash flooding it usually builds over days and is forecast in advance, which makes it the hazard where warning time most reliably converts into reduced harm.
Worth noting for Delaware County: the model and the federal record do NOT point at the same hazard. Riverine Flooding carries the highest modeled rating (Relatively Moderate), while the county's declaration history is led by Severe Storm. That is not a contradiction, the two measure genuinely different things. Declarations record federal ACTION, which requires damage costly enough to exceed state and local capacity; the Risk Index models EXPECTED annual loss across all 18 hazards whether or not any declaration ever followed. A hazard can be the county's largest modeled exposure and never once have driven a declaration.
National Risk Index ratings are modeled estimates of expected annual loss, not predictions of what will happen in any given year.
Data-matched county comparisons
Delaware County's closest FEMA peer: Utuado Municipio, PR
Comparisons use published FEMA declaration fields plus the National Risk Index composite for Delaware County. Record similarity, not a safety rating.
Closest declaration profiles
Delaware County shows 39 FEMA declarations, led by Severe Storm.
Similar Major-disaster share
Delaware County: 27 of 39 of its declarations are Major.
Similar modeled NRI score
Delaware County: NRI composite 83.3 (Relatively Moderate).
How these peers are chosen
Cohort: Published U.S. county equivalents outside the source state or territory. Each metric keeps six ETL candidates; three unique destinations are shown after de-duplicating across axes. Declaration-volume ranking combines count and Major-disaster share and prefers a different leading incident type; Major-share ranks the Major fraction adjusted for volume; NRI ranks the modeled composite score only.
Retained FEMA snapshot feed for Delaware County - capture-dated entries only.
Compare beyond this state
Nationwide peers by NRI score & FEMA declaration volume
Two PlainHazard-derived comparison paths for Delaware County: nearest out-of-state National Risk Index composite and nearest FEMA declaration count (floor ≥5 records). Record similarity only, not a forecast of the next hazard.
Similar NRI composite
Nearest out-of-state counties by FEMA NRI score. This county: 83.3 (Relatively Moderate).
Similar declaration volume
Nearest out-of-state counties by FEMA declaration count. This county: 39. NRI peers are excluded so the two link sets stay distinct.
Further reading for this county
Understanding disaster data
Delaware County's NFIP claims file (1,290 claims) and FEMA declaration history measure different federal records - this guide separates them from modeled NRI risk.
More PlainHazard guides
- Most disaster-prone counties - U.S. counties ranked by FEMA declaration totals.
- Understanding disaster data - declarations vs storm events vs NRI scores.
- Preparing for natural disasters - household checklist (not county-specific advice).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common disaster type in Delaware County?
The most common disaster type in Delaware County is Severe Storm, with 15 declarations. Other disaster types include Flood (7), Hurricane (5), Snowstorm (5).
How does Delaware County's FEMA declaration record compare with the New York average?
FEMA lists 39 declaration records for Delaware County. That is 59% above the New York county mean of 24.5. Its count is also 88% above the national county mean of 20.7. A larger declaration history records more federal actions; it is not a forecast of the county's next hazard.
How many major FEMA disaster declarations has Delaware County received?
Delaware County has received 27 major disaster declarations, representing 69% of all 39 disaster declarations.
How many flood insurance claims has Delaware County filed?
Delaware County has 1,290 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims totaling $39.6M in payments, with an average of $30.7K per claim.
What was the worst year for disasters in Delaware County?
The most active year for disaster declarations in Delaware County was 2011, with 5 declarations. The county has FEMA disaster data spanning 1965 to 2024.
What is the FEMA National Risk Index score for Delaware County?
According to the FEMA National Risk Index, Delaware County, New York has an overall risk score of 83.3 out of 100 (Relatively Moderate). On social vulnerability the county rates Very High; on community resilience, Relatively High. The Expected Annual Loss (EAL) score is Relatively Low, representing $35.5M in annualized losses.
Which natural hazard poses the greatest risk to Delaware County?
Based on FEMA NRI data, the highest-risk natural hazard in Delaware County as of the latest release is Riverine Flooding (risk rating: Relatively Moderate). Other significant hazards include Landslide (Relatively Moderate) and Hurricane (Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled event frequency puts riverine flooding here at an average of 2.3 times per year, drawn from 64 historical events on record. The underlying methodology weighs historical event frequency against exposed assets and community vulnerability.
Data Sources & Methodology
Disaster declaration data comes from the FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 API, which includes all federally declared disasters, emergencies, and fire management assistance grants.
Storm event data is sourced from the NOAA Storm Events Database (2015-2025), which tracks significant weather events including thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, and winter storms.
Flood insurance data comes from the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) OpenFEMA claims dataset.
This data is provided for informational purposes only. FEMA disaster declarations represent federal response actions and may not capture all local emergencies or weather events.
FEMA OpenFEMA declarations + NRI for Delaware County · vintage 2026-08-25 · Methodology · New York profile · Verify with FEMA OpenFEMA · Verify with NOAA Storm Events