Enter any address in Centre County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Centre County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 22 flash flood events and 15 flood events, with one tropical storm. Recent events include heavy rain causing flooding and road closures in eastern Centre County on September 23, 2021, and widespread creek and river flooding following 2-4 inches of rain over 72 hours from April 1-3, 2024.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A and Zone X_SHADED have experienced the most claims and significant payouts. Properties in Zone X_SHADED, in particular, have seen an average water depth of 15.1 feet in claims. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X and Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Centre County, Pennsylvania has recorded 38 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 22 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations, 5 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 | Flood | Oct 20, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 26, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 3, 2011 |
| 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 And Flooding | Flood | Jan 19, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 3, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 28, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 23, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 20, 2016 | 5.00M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 27, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2013 | 1.50M |
Flood — Jun 25, 2025
A surface cold front stationed across northern Pennsylvania allowed for scattered showers and thunderstorms to form in an environment with ample instability and limited shear during the afternoon and evening hours of June 25, 2025. These slow-moving showers and thunderstorms quickly became strong-to-severe with the aforementioned instability and were able to sustain and produce isolated instanc...
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 28, 2023
A cluster of showers and thunderstorms developed over south-central Pennsylvania during the afternoon of July 28, 2023, just south of a frontal boundary that was draped from northwest to southeast across Pennsylvania. This cluster of storms produced sporadic wind damage as it progressed eastward across the Cumberland and Lower Susquehanna valleys. Additional showers and storms developed just no...
Flood — Sep 23, 2021
Heavy rain brought flooding to portions of eastern Centre and Northeast Mifflin county on September 23rd. ||The National Weather Service State College reported that the area around Aaronsburg, Spring Mills, and Alfarata in eastern Centre and northeastern Mifflin Counties received between 5-5.50 inches of rain.||Flooding and road closures were reported in State College, Bellefonte, Park Forest ...
Flash Flood — Aug 3, 2018
A moist weather pattern brought waves of heavy rain to the area. Flash flooding was reported with the rainfall.
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 Centre 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 Centre 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.