Low risk. Albany is in a 10-14% likelihood zone in 50 years for earthquakes. Since 2010, there have been two small earthquakes, one at 2.7 and one at 2.8 on the Richter scale. This is classified as a small amount of movement.
Very easy to access information on website, both for mapping and history. Richter scale data was also openly available.
Flooding
High risk. Albany is located in a FEMA floodplain zone. Also, overwhelmed city infrastructure often leads to delineating flooding. Reports of a $2.8 million dollar project to help curb flooding was announced in June 2015 to be finished by the end of 2015. The project would add a porous layer beneath streets to allow water to drain down instead flooding the streets. No news report/announcement of its completion. Also, FEMA issued a mandate that persons living in special flood hazard zones must purchase Flood Insurance or their current premiums will rise. Also, a comprehensive publication on purchasing flood insurance, who should buy it, who to contact, and how information on flooding was used was presented by RAMPP through FEMA.
FEMA Map was accessed through several different websites. Somewhat difficult to find. Not user friendly. A stationary map that would be better presented as a PDF or similar media.
News article on $2.8 million dollar project was on second page of a Google Search, easily accessed website.
Flood Insurance article found through similar searches. Website easily accessed.
Severe Weather/Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Low to moderate risk. No significant or gale tornadoes have hit Albany County from 1998-2013 (2012-present data not given). As Albany is not a coastal city, major effects from hurricanes are limited, however severe flooding can occur (see above).
About 120 miles from Indian Point Nuclear Plant (NY) and 90 miles from Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station (VT). Not in the evacuation radius. If breakdown occurred, effects could be felt. Low risk of property damage/loss in breakdown event.
No database, used basic Google search. Likely because they are private businesses.
Sewage Treatment Facility (hazardous waste)
Moderate to High risk. 7 facilities within 30 miles of Albany, most (4) within 15 miles. All are on or near the Hudson River, so breakdown in one facility could affect others downstream.
No database for sewage treatment plants, had to individually search for sewage treatment. Some plants were under different names (Waste water treatment, waste water disposal, etc.), other businesses included in search so they had to be investigated (some "County Offices" were treatment plants).
Severe Heat (Climate Change)
Increasing risk. By 2050, NYS temperatures are projected to increase 2 to 4 degrees (Fahrenheit). Also, longer and more severe heat waves are predicted, increasing health risks.
Moderately well circulated data, was on Google search, but had to dig to find site.
Winter Storms (Climate Change)
Five NESIS ranked storms since 2006. 2007; Level 3 (Major), 2010 Feb; Level 3, 2010 Dec; Level 3, 2011; Level 3, 2014 Level 1 (Notable). There were also two other storms included in the sources timeline that were ice storms or ice/snow mix storms. NESIS measures impact from snowfall, however ice can be just as if not more dangerous to health.
Easily found article. Important topic in NY State.
Drug Abuse (Heroin)
Moderate and growing. Calls for opioid overdoses doubled from 2012 to 2013. Heroin use has increased as prescription drugs have become harder to access (due to the I-STOP law). Drug related hospitalizations (per 10,000 people) were higher in Albany (26) than the NYS average (25.7).
Low Risk. Albany was ranked the least stressful city in America by Sperling. Also Albany has significantly lower rates of suicide, poor mental health, and binge drinking than at the state and national level. Rate of Suicide in Albany 4.8/100,000, NYS 7.5, US 11.9. Percent of adults reporting 2 weeks or more of poor mental health in the last month in Albany 7.8%, NYS 11.2%, US 10.8%. Percent adults reporting binge drinking in the past 30 days in Albany 13.4%, NYS 19.6%, US 18.3%. It should be noted that drug related hospitalizations (per 10,000 people) were higher in Albany (26) than the NYS average (25.7).
Sperling is a real estate website, so data may be influenced by economic factors. Suicide data was well formatted and easily accessed on the NYS health website.
Earthquake History since 2010
Richter Scale
$2.8mil Project
Flood Insurance
RAMPP Publication
News article on $2.8 million dollar project was on second page of a Google Search, easily accessed website.
Flood Insurance article found through similar searches. Website easily accessed.
Hurricanes
Momentive Performance Material.
Drug Data
Suicide Data