Enter any address in Crawford County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Crawford County. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA data recorded 63 flash flood events and 15 other flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in July 2021, when storms dropped over 2 inches of rain in a one to two hour period across southeast Crawford County, and a February 2022 event where heavy rainfall on snowmelt caused flooding along French Creek and its tributaries.
NFIP claims data shows that properties in Zone A, which are typically areas of higher flood risk, have experienced a significant number of claims with an average payout of $5,406 and an average water depth of 2.7 feet. Claims in Zone X, though fewer, show higher average payouts of $7,624 with an average water depth of 4.7 feet, indicating potential for substantial damage even in areas not typically considered high risk. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and X_SHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
19 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Crawford County, Pennsylvania has recorded 78 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 63 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 15 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 (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, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 26, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Flood | Jul 19, 1996 |
| 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 | Feb 17, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2021 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2021 | 120.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2019 | 1.20M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 12, 2018 | 1.30M |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2018 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2017 | 225.00K |
| Flood | Jan 12, 2017 | 30.00K |
| Flood | May 31, 2015 | 100.00K |
Flood — Feb 17, 2022
Flooding was observed throughout much of Crawford County during the February 17th-19th, 2022 timeframe. This was due to above normal temperatures causing steady melt of a snow pack containing 2 to upwards of 3 of water equivalency up through the daytime hours of the 17th, and rainfall amounts of 1-2 on top of the melting snow. Flooding of French Creek and tributaries was observed, including Cus...
Flash Flood — Jul 17, 2021
A warm, unstable airmass has been in place over the region for much of the week leading up to July 17th, 2021, with several rounds of rainfall during the week leading to saturated soils across northwest PA. Thunderstorms developed ahead of an eastward moving cold front, with low echo centroid storms providing efficient, heavy rainfall. Two storms tracked over far southeast Crawford county in PA...
Flash Flood — Jul 11, 2021
Low pressure was slowly moving northeast from IN through northern OH during the day of July 11th, 2021, lifting a warm front northward towards northwest PA. Showers and thunderstorms moved northeast across Erie County, PA for much of the daytime hours ahead of this front. An low echo centroid storm with intense rainfall rates around 1.5 per hour produce efficient heavy rainfall over an area wit...
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2019
A backdoor frontal boundary was moving slowly northeast to southeast across northwest Pennsylvania during the evening of July 19th. A line severe thunderstorms blew down trees across rural Crawford County.
Flash Flood — Jul 5, 2019
A warm and moist airmass was draped across Ohio on July 5th. Slow moving showers and thunderstorms developed along the afternoon lake breeze and outflow boundaries. With dewpoints in the mid 70s and precipitable water values around 2 inches the environment was favorable for torrential rain. Flash flooding was localized to northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania.
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 Crawford 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 Crawford 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.