Enter any address in Carbon County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Carbon County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 41 flash flood events and 19 flood events. For example, thunderstorms brought 2 to 3 inches of rain to parts of the area on July 29, 2021, causing flash flooding. Heavy rainfall also led to flooding on July 7, 2017, with isolated amounts upwards of 4 to 6 inches in Carbon and Northampton Counties.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced the highest average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone A, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Carbon County, Pennsylvania has recorded 61 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 41 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 3, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jun 23, 2006 |
| 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 |
| Snow | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 2003 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jan 19, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 7, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 31, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 2, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2012 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2012 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2021
Thunderstorms brought locally heavy rainfall to the Lehigh Valley and to Bucks County during the afternoon and early evening of July 29. As much as 2 to 3 inches of rain fell in parts of the area.
Flood — Jul 7, 2017
A stationary frontal boundary draped across the Delaware Valley lead to a period of heavy rainfall during the morning of July 7th. Widespread rainfall amounts over 2 inches occurred, with isolated amounts upwards of 4 to 6 inches in Carbon and Northampton Counties, which lead to flooding.
Flash Flood — May 31, 2015
A backdoor cold front triggered showers and thunderstorms with heavy downpours that caused flash flooding across sections of the Poconos during the evening of the 31st. Doppler Radar storm total estimates exceeded three inches across central Monroe County and also in southwest Carbon County where the heaviest rain fell.
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2015
In addition to the severe weather, multiple thunderstorms with heavy rain caused flash flooding in the Lehigh Valley and Poconos on the afternoon and evening of the 30th. The flash flooding in the Poconos persisted into July 1st. Doppler Radar storm total estimates reached two inches in the Lehigh Valley and five inches in the Poconos.||The heavy rain on the 30th culminated a very wet month of ...
Flash Flood — Jul 26, 2015
A cold front over the Finger Lakes region of New York State helped trigger a cluster of showers and thunderstorms with very heavy rain that moved over the Poconos mainly during the evening of the 26th. The heaviest rain fell over eastern parts of Carbon County and southwestern parts of Monroe County. Doppler Radar storm total estimates reached 5 inches in eastern Carbon County.
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 Carbon 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 Carbon 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.