Enter any address in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Jefferson County, PA. Between 1996 and 2023, NOAA data recorded 55 flood events and 54 flash flood events. For example, flash flooding occurred on June 17th and June 18th, 2025, due to stalled weather boundaries and lingering moist air.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $19,822 and an average water depth of 7.7 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have also seen significant payouts, averaging $51,019 with a 3.1-foot water depth, despite fewer claims. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and those in areas with unknown flood risk should pay particular attention to flood preparedness.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
41 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania has recorded 109 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 54 flash floods and 55 river or area floods. The county has received 14 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, 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, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Flood | Jul 19, 1996 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jan 19, 1996 |
| Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm | Snowstorm | Mar 13, 1993 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 2, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Jul 7, 2020 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Oct 31, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2019 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2025
The stalled boundary began to lift north during the day on the 17th but remained the focus of diurnal convection. While the front did eventually shift off to the east on the 18th, additional storms were able to fire with the lingering moist airmass as an upper level disturbance approached.
Flash Flood — Jun 17, 2025
The stalled boundary began to lift north during the day on the 17th but remained the focus of diurnal convection. While the front did eventually shift off to the east on the 18th, additional storms were able to fire with the lingering moist airmass as an upper level disturbance approached.
Flash Flood — Apr 2, 2024
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms prompted a widespread flash flood problems across the Ohio River Valley on April 2nd to April 3rd. The synoptic pattern across the CONUS was a slow moving and deep elongated trough over the Great Plains phasing with a ejecting trough over the Midwest that created an area of converging moisture over eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Overall, over ...
Flash Flood — Jul 26, 2023
A line of thunderstorms formed over northern Ohio during the evening of July 26th and raced across southwest Pennsylvania to the north of Pittsburgh, supported by a shortwave trough. Many wind damage reports were received in the vicinity of the I-80 corridor, with isolated flash flooding as well.
Flash Flood — Aug 26, 2021
A back building storm developed along the I-80 region and caused flash flooding to occur in isolated areas.
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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.