Enter any address in Bedford County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Bedford County, PA. Between 2005 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 39 flash flood events, alongside 19 general flood events and one tropical storm. Recent examples include flash flooding that closed roadways in June 2025 due to slow-moving showers and thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $13,370 and an average water depth of 2.8 feet. Zone X also shows significant claims with an average payout of $10,615 and 2.4 feet of water. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay particular attention to flood preparedness.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bedford County, Pennsylvania has recorded 59 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 39 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 7 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Aug 31, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 3, 2011 |
| Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 3, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Hurricane Katrina | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Tropical Depression Ivan | Hurricane | Sep 17, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 4, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 12, 2014 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 17, 2025
A slow-moving surface warm front stationed across western Pennsylvania allowed for slow-moving showers and thunderstorms to form across southwestern Pennsylvania in an environment of anomalously moist air with long, skinny CAPE and enhanced low-level shear. Showers and thunderstorms across southwestern Pennsylvania initially formed during the early afternoon hours and continued into the evening...
Flood — May 14, 2025
A deep stream of moisture was pulled northwestward from the Atlantic Ocean into the mountains of south-central Pennsylvania around an upper level low centered over the Ohio Valley during the afternoon and evening hours of May 13. 2025. This led to extensive flooding and flash flooding across Somerset County and southwestern Bedford County, and more sporadic flooding from the remainder of Bedfor...
Flood — May 13, 2025
A deep stream of moisture was pulled northwestward from the Atlantic Ocean into the mountains of south-central Pennsylvania around an upper level low centered over the Ohio Valley during the afternoon and evening hours of May 13. 2025. This led to extensive flooding and flash flooding across Somerset County and southwestern Bedford County, and more sporadic flooding from the remainder of Bedfor...
Flash Flood — May 13, 2025
A deep stream of moisture was pulled northwestward from the Atlantic Ocean into the mountains of south-central Pennsylvania around an upper level low centered over the Ohio Valley during the afternoon and evening hours of May 13. 2025. This led to extensive flooding and flash flooding across Somerset County and southwestern Bedford County, and more sporadic flooding from the remainder of Bedfor...
Flash Flood — Jun 9, 2025
A low pressure system stationed along the Hudson Bay allowed for central Pennsylvania to experience a brief period in the warm sector during the afternoon hours of June 9, 2025 ahead of a mid-level trough. This trough aided in large-scale ascent ahead of a surface cold front that aided in supercell development across western and central Pennsylvania during the afternoon and evening with the tra...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Bedford County, Pennsylvania:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Bedford County, Pennsylvania that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.