Watertown, NY
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Watertown is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Jefferson County, NY. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, ice storm, and strong wind.
Storm events near Watertown
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Watertown's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Watertown 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 Jefferson County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Watertown along with the rest of the county, not a Watertown-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 28 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 78 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | 16.2 | Very Low |
| Earthquake | 71.5 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 33.6 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 27.9 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 64.5 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 7.6 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 53.2 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 81.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 47.5 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 46.2 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 78.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 93.5 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Jefferson County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Jefferson County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Watertown, NY at risk of?
Watertown 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 Jefferson County, where Watertown is located, are winter weather, ice storm, and strong wind.
What is Watertown's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Jefferson County, where Watertown is located, scoring 93.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Watertown a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Watertown carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Jefferson County.
Has Watertown had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 1 tornado, 7 hail, 17 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Watertown since 2016.