Lackawanna, NY
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Lackawanna is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Erie County, NY. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, winter weather, and inland flooding.
Storm events near Lackawanna
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Lackawanna's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Lackawanna 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 Lackawanna along with the rest of the county, not a Lackawanna-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 62.6 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 99 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 44.4 | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | 85.8 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 95.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 95.4 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | 24 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 99.6 | Very High |
| Drought | 35.8 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 41.5 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 71.3 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 93.7 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 52 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 86.3 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 80.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 99.5 | Very 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.
Other cities in Erie County:
More on Erie County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Lackawanna, NY at risk of?
Lackawanna is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Erie County, where Lackawanna is located, are cold wave, winter weather, and inland flooding.
What is Lackawanna's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Erie County, where Lackawanna is located, scoring 99.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Lackawanna a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Lackawanna carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Erie County.
Has Lackawanna had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 9 tornado, 41 hail, 66 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Lackawanna since 2016.