Enter any address in Blair County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Blair County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA data shows 37 flash flood events, alongside 20 general flood events and one tropical storm. Recent examples include flash flooding that closed roadways across the county in June 2025, stemming from slow-moving showers and thunderstorms. Another event in June 2025 involved heavy rainfall from thunderstorms associated with a low-pressure system and a cold front.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with 635 claims averaging $8,213 and a water depth of 1.9 feet. While Zone X and its sub-zones (X_SHADED, X_UNSHADED) have fewer claims, average payouts in Zone X were higher than in Zone A, reaching $10,019 with an average water depth of 1.4 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in other flood zones, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Blair County, Pennsylvania has recorded 58 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 37 flash floods and 20 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Hurricane Katrina | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Tropical Depression Ivan | Hurricane | Sep 17, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression Frances | Severe Storm | Sep 8, 2004 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 21, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 3, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2019 | 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...
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...
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...
Flood — Apr 3, 2024
A stationary front followed by a significant early spring storm system led to a prolonged period of wet weather from April 1 into April 3, 2024. Central Pennsylvania received 2-4 (locally 5+) of rain falling over roughly a 72-hour period, which led to flooding of creeks and rivers in some areas. Additionally, WFO CTP received a call from WFO PHI that a dam on Octoraro Creek in western Chester C...
Flood — Jul 1, 2023
A severe thunderstorm impacted the Laurel Highlands and localized flooding impacted the city of Altoona during the afternoon of July 1, 2023. Scattered thunderstorm developed in a modest CAPE environment (1000-1500 J/kg) and modest shear environment ahead of an approaching mid-level trough.
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 Blair 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 Blair 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.