Enter any address in Columbia County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Columbia County, PA, with 30 such events recorded in the last 30 years, alongside 16 general flood events and one tropical storm. For example, heavy rainfall rates exceeding two inches per hour contributed to flash flooding on July 13, 2025, while persistent moist southerly air brought flooding and flash flooding, including two fatalities, on July 25, 2018.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A (1281 claims) and Zone X_SHADED (236 claims), indicating areas with higher flood risk. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X and Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Columbia County, Pennsylvania has recorded 47 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 30 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 3, 2011 |
| Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 3, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jun 23, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 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 | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 2, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 2, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 28, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2025
A shortwave trough, moving through an unstable and extremely moist air mass (PWATs over 2.00) over central Pennsylvania, allowed for showers and thunderstorms to develop across the area during the afternoon hours of July 13, 2025. Thunderstorms in this environment began to become strong-to-severe; however, rainfall rates within the thunderstorms were the most notable feature, topping out over t...
Flood — Jul 14, 2025
A shortwave trough, moving through an unstable and extremely moist air mass (PWATs over 2.00) over central Pennsylvania, allowed for showers and thunderstorms to develop across the area during the afternoon hours of July 13, 2025. Thunderstorms in this environment began to become strong-to-severe; however, rainfall rates within the thunderstorms were the most notable feature, topping out over t...
Flash Flood — Jun 19, 2019
Heavy rainfall led to three areas of flash flooding during the evening hours on Wednesday June 19th.
Flash Flood — Jul 25, 2018
I persistent upper level flow of moist southerly air brought waves of flooding and flash flooding to the region. Significant flooding was reported across eastern portions of the area. Two deaths were also reported, one person was washed away attempting to cross a stream, while a motorist was swept away in flood waters.
Flash Flood — Aug 13, 2018
A wet and unsettled weather pattern brought flash flooding to portions of central Pennsylvania from the 12th through the 14th.
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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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.