Olean, NY
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Olean 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 Cattaraugus County, NY. The county's highest-rated hazards are inland flooding, lightning, and landslide.
Storm events near Olean
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Olean's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Olean 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 Cattaraugus County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Olean along with the rest of the county, not a Olean-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 35.1 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 89.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 35.5 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 21.1 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 68.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | 35.2 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 59.3 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 31 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 68.1 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 50 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 80.2 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 86.5 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 74.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 66.1 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Cattaraugus County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Cattaraugus County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Olean, NY at risk of?
Olean 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 Cattaraugus County, where Olean is located, are inland flooding, lightning, and landslide.
What is Olean's biggest natural hazard risk?
Inland Flooding is the highest-rated hazard for Cattaraugus County, where Olean is located, scoring 89.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Olean a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Olean 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 Cattaraugus County.
Has Olean had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 3 tornado, 15 hail, 61 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Olean since 2016.