Enter any address in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rain-producing thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lackawanna County. Between 1996 and 2016, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 84 flash flood events and 14 general flood events. For example, on August 13, 2025, thunderstorms caused significant urban flash flooding in the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton metro areas, leading to flooded roads and stranded vehicles due to overwhelmed drainage systems.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $15,395 and an average water depth of 3.0 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have seen fewer claims but have experienced the deepest average water, at 4.8 feet, with an average payout of $5,255. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED, as well as those in areas with unknown flood zone designations, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
50 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania has recorded 98 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 84 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 22 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 And Flooding | Severe Storm | Nov 16, 2006 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2025 | 2.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2025
A stationary frontal boundary draped over Northeast Pennsylvania triggered isolated, slow moving thunderstorms with heavy rain during the early to mid-afternoon. These storms drifted over highly urbanized areas and produced excessive rainfall and minor street and poor drainage flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2025
A weak frontal system moving through a warm and excessively moist environment triggered thunderstorms with torrential rainfall. These storms were slow moving and produced copious amounts of rain which led to localized flash flooding of roads, small streams and a few residences over a good portion of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Flash Flood — Aug 13, 2025
A weak area of low pressure moved into Northeastern Pennsylvania during the afternoon which provided a focus for heavy rain-producing thunderstorms. Several storms moved through the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton metro areas during the afternoon causing significant urban flash flooding of poor drainage and storm drain systems. Many roads were flooded in the area with several reports of stranded vehi...
Flash Flood — Jun 7, 2025
Low pressure moving along a stationary front triggered slow-moving, heavy rain-producing thunderstorms during the early morning hours. Pockets of 2 to 3 inches of rain fell over just a few hours causing urban and small stream flash flooding along with road and bridge washouts.
Flash Flood — Aug 18, 2024
Deep moisture combined with an approaching cold front and a favorable position of the jet stream triggered numerous heavy rain producing thunderstorms over northeastern Pennsylvania. Locally heavy rainfall totaled between 3 and 4 inches over a short period of time which caused areas of significant flash flooding.
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 Lackawanna 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 Lackawanna 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.