Enter any address in Bradford County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Bradford County. Recent events in July 2025, for example, saw heavy rainfall from stationary and weak frontal systems lead to localized flooding of roads, small streams, and some residences.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $27,535 and an average water depth of 8.5 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X_UNSHADED have also seen significant claims with substantial water depths. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and Zone X_UNSHADED should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
119 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bradford County, Pennsylvania has recorded 199 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 159 flash floods and 40 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 (1972–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 10, 2018 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Oct 20, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 3, 2011 |
| Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 3, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 25, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Nov 16, 2006 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jun 23, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 11, 2023 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2025
A weak frontal system moving through a warm and excessively moist environment triggered thunderstorms with torrential rainfall. These storms were slow moving and produced copious amounts of rain which led to localized flash flooding of roads, small streams and a few residences over a good portion of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Flash Flood — Jul 8, 2025
A warm and unstable environment combined with a stationary front across portions of the northern tier of Pennsylvania supported the development of scattered thunderstorms. Weak steering winds ahead of an upper trough contributed to slow moving storms repeating over the same areas. This contributed to areas of heavy rainfall and flash flooding in Bradford county.
Flash Flood — May 6, 2025
A slow moving upper level low pressure system interacted with a surface frontal boundary to induce torrential rain producing thunderstorms. These storms moved into Northeast Pennsylvania during the afternoon and repeatedly struck the same areas leading to localized flash flooding of roads, ditches and urban areas.
Flash Flood — Jul 22, 2024
An upper-level low pressure system was the driving force of scattered storms across Northeast Pennsylvania. Warm and moist air contributed to several rounds of heavy rain producing thunderstorms over the northern tier counties. Rainfall amounts in a short period of time totalled between 2 and 3 inches leading to localized flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 10, 2024
A warm front helped to focus the remnants of tropical cyclone Beryl which brought steady rainfall and embedded thunderstorms to the region. A cold front then brought a second round of thunderstorms in the evening. Thunderstorms with intense rainfall produced narrow bands of 2-4 inches of rain around the area leading to isolated flash flooding.
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 Bradford 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 Bradford 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.