Cortland, NY
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Cortland is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Cortland County, NY. The county's highest-rated hazards are inland flooding, landslide, and hurricane.
Storm events near Cortland
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Cortland's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Cortland itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Cortland County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Cortland along with the rest of the county, not a Cortland-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 9.9 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 71.9 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 39.1 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 23.2 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 37.4 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | 32.7 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 36.7 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 32.9 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 59.2 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 58.6 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 65.7 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 37.4 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 32.6 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 57.7 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Cortland County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Cortland County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Cortland, NY at risk of?
Cortland is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Cortland County, where Cortland is located, are inland flooding, landslide, and hurricane.
What is Cortland's biggest natural hazard risk?
Inland Flooding is the highest-rated hazard for Cortland County, where Cortland is located, scoring 71.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Low").
Is Cortland a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Cortland carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Cortland County.
Has Cortland had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 5 tornado, 26 hail, 96 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Cortland since 2016.