Dunkirk, NY
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Dunkirk is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Chautauqua County, NY. The county's highest-rated hazards are inland flooding, lightning, and strong wind.
Storm events near Dunkirk
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Dunkirk's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Dunkirk 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 Chautauqua County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Dunkirk along with the rest of the county, not a Dunkirk-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 43.1 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 91.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | 23.6 | Very Low |
| Earthquake | 43.3 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 29.9 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 76.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | 14.2 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 68.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 29.1 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 68.8 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 66.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 57.5 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 89.7 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 84.4 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 74 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Chautauqua County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Chautauqua County:
More on Chautauqua County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Dunkirk, NY at risk of?
Dunkirk is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Chautauqua County, where Dunkirk is located, are inland flooding, lightning, and strong wind.
What is Dunkirk's biggest natural hazard risk?
Inland Flooding is the highest-rated hazard for Chautauqua County, where Dunkirk is located, scoring 91.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Dunkirk a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Dunkirk carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Chautauqua County.
Has Dunkirk had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 3 tornado, 22 hail, 34 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Dunkirk since 2016.