Ithaca, NY
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Ithaca is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Tompkins County, NY. The county's highest-rated hazards are inland flooding, hurricane, and drought.
Storm events near Ithaca
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Ithaca's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Ithaca 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 Tompkins County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Ithaca along with the rest of the county, not a Ithaca-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 22.2 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 86.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 42.7 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 47.9 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 59 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | 36.4 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 33.2 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 62.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 45.4 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 64.5 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 62.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 58.3 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 62.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 44.4 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 26.6 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Tompkins County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Tompkins County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Ithaca, NY at risk of?
Ithaca 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 Tompkins County, where Ithaca is located, are inland flooding, hurricane, and drought.
What is Ithaca's biggest natural hazard risk?
Inland Flooding is the highest-rated hazard for Tompkins County, where Ithaca is located, scoring 86.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Ithaca a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Ithaca carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Tompkins County.
Has Ithaca had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 4 tornado, 28 hail, 84 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Ithaca since 2016.