14 flood insurance claims·$193,566 paid·4 federal flood & hurricane disasters
Share of the whole county outline, rivers and lakes included; parts FEMA hasn’t mapped count as zero.
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around Forest County, Pennsylvania. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms dominates the flood risk profile in Forest County, Pennsylvania, accounting for the majority of the 17 recorded flood events over the last 30 years, alongside 5 general flood events.
Historical events illustrate these varying causes. In June 2014, thunderstorms moving over already saturated ground led to flooding of streams, creeks, and poor drainage areas. Earlier, in February 2009, a combination of snowmelt and rainfall caused flooding due to ice jams across parts of northwest Pennsylvania.
National Flood Insurance Program claims data indicates that properties situated in FEMA Flood Zone A carry the most significant risk, accounting for 9 claims with an average payout of $26,008 and an average recorded water depth of 19 inches. Homeowners, real estate agents, and journalists should pay the closest attention to properties located within Zone A, as well as those near streams, creeks, and areas prone to poor drainage.
Summary written from NOAA storm reports and NFIP claims for this county. Not a prediction.
In flood insurance claims here that reported a flood depth, the average was 15 inches.
Drawn to scale against an 80-inch door. Even a few inches soaks flooring, the bottom of the drywall and anything plugged in near the floor.
Average of the depths reported on claims (zero and implausible values left out); FEMA’s record doesn’t say exactly where each depth was measured. Source: OpenFEMA NFIP claims.
The worst year was 2014, with 4 claims and $168,546 paid.
Bar height is scaled by square root so ordinary years stay visible next to the worst one. NFIP claims by year of loss. Source: OpenFEMA.
2 NOAA storm reports from Forest County describe what happened, in the words of the forecasters who covered it. Read the Pennsylvania flood stories →
12 federal disaster declarations since 1972, 4 of them floods, coastal storms or hurricanes.
| Disaster | Began |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Sandy | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Tropical Depression Ivan | Sep 17, 2004 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression Frances | Sep 8, 2004 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Jul 21, 2003 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Jan 19, 1996 |
| Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm | Mar 13, 1993 |
| Severe Storms, High Winds & Tornadoes | May 31, 1985 |
Weather and water disasters only; most recent first. Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations.
17 since 1996: 12 flash floods and 5 river or area floods.
| Event | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2019 | $5,000 |
| Flood | Jun 13, 2014 | $2,000 |
| Flood | Mar 6, 2011 | $5,000 |
| Flood | Feb 12, 2009 | $25,000 |
| Flash Flood | May 20, 2004 | $10,000 |
| Flood | Sep 17, 2004 | $50,000 |
| Flood | Jul 13, 2004 | — |
| Flash Flood | Nov 19, 2003 | — |
— = no damage estimate in the record. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database.
Flash Flood · Jul 4, 2019. With very moist profiles and little wind shear, the primary concern for the day was heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding potential with thunderstorms. A flash flood watch was issued for a portion of our region, mainly the higher elevations. Deep warm cloud depths and slow moving storms promoted high rainfall rates. The 00Z sounding noted very high precipitable water values of 1.67 inches, which exceeded the…
Flood · Jun 13, 2014. Thunderstorms moving over already saturated ground lead to flooding of some streams and creeks as well as areas of poor drainage.
Flood · Mar 6, 2011. A low pressure system, moving from the plains to the Ohio Valley, brought widespread rainfall of 1 to 2 inches over western Pennsylvania beginning Saturday March 5th, and lasting through Sunday morning, March 6th. Area streams and creeks rose in response to this rainfall causing localized flooding in Venango and Forest counties. Rain then transitioned to snow Sunday with snow totals of 7 to 10 inches over the moun…
Flood · Feb 12, 2009. A combination of snow melt and rainfall caused flooding due to ice jams across parts of northwest Pennsylvania.
National Weather Service narratives, lightly trimmed. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database.
Every colour on the map above is a place on this drawing: where the ground sits relative to the flood FEMA plans for.
If a building in Forest County is in a high-risk zone (A or V) and its mortgage comes from a federally regulated or insured lender, or is federally backed, flood insurance is required.
Outside those zones it is optional, and often worth having: from 2014 to 2024 nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Since Risk Rating 2.0, NFIP premiums are set for each building, so the only reliable price is a quote: FloodSmart.gov or a local agent.