Erie, PA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Erie 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 Erie County, PA. The county's highest-rated hazards are lightning, winter weather, and strong wind.
Storm events near Erie
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Erie's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Erie 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 Erie County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Erie along with the rest of the county, not a Erie-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 36.9 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 90.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | 36.4 | Very Low |
| Earthquake | 60.1 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 40.6 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 66.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 38.9 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 51.9 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 71.1 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 70.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 44.8 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 96 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 93.7 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 95 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Erie County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Erie County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Erie, PA at risk of?
Erie 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 Erie County, where Erie is located, are lightning, winter weather, and strong wind.
What is Erie's biggest natural hazard risk?
Lightning is the highest-rated hazard for Erie County, where Erie is located, scoring 96 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Erie a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Erie 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 Erie County.
Has Erie had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 5 tornado, 36 hail, 17 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Erie since 2016.