Enter any address in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character of Lawrence County, PA. Between 1994 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 94 flash flood events and 34 general flood events. For example, on May 21, 2025, slow-moving bands of heavier rain produced flash flooding across the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $10,694 for water depths averaging 4.3 feet. Properties in Zone X and Zone X_UNSHADED also have a history of claims, with higher average water depths recorded in Zone X_UNSHADED (8.2 feet) and higher average payouts in Zone X ($11,495).
Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X and Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay particular attention to flood risk. Properties in Zone UNKNOWN also show a history of claims, though with lower average payouts and water depths.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
70 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania has recorded 128 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 94 flash floods and 34 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations, 2 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 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 | May 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2025 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Apr 3, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 3, 2024 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — May 21, 2025
An occluding surface low slowly drifted across Ohio on May 21st. Bands of showers with embedded thunderstorms moved across southwest Pennsylvania. During the mid to late afternoon, one convective band, associated with ample 0-3km CAPE and surface vorticity, was able to generate four tornadoes across southwest PA. Three were relatively brief and weak, but one longer-track EF1 was noted in Washi...
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2025
A crossing mid-level shortwave supported development of showers and thunderstorms with 2000-3000 J/kg of MUCAPE and weak deep layer shear. Anomalously high PWAT values, even for July, up to 2.0 inches were more than sufficient for any thunderstorms to produce high rainfall rates and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 6, 2025
Several rounds of thunderstorms trained over portions of Lawrence, Allegheny, Westmoreland Clarion and Beaver counties on June 6th. This was a result of a very moist airmass and a stationary boundary located over northern Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania. Flash flooding was reported in the aforementioned counties with considerable flooding noted in Allegheny county.
Flood — Apr 12, 2024
A strong mid-level trough and an associated frontal zone crossed through the|Mid-South and took aim on the OH Valley. Strong forcing associated the energy aloft coupled with a gradually destabilizing boundary layer out ahead it set the stage for areas of locally heavy showers and thunderstorms for several hours and prompted dangerous flash flooding. A flash flood emergency was issued for portio...
Flash Flood — Apr 11, 2024
A strong mid-level trough and an associated frontal zone crossed through the|Mid-South and took aim on the OH Valley. Strong forcing associated the energy aloft coupled with a gradually destabilizing boundary layer out ahead it set the stage for areas of locally heavy showers and thunderstorms for several hours and prompted dangerous flash flooding. A flash flood emergency was issued for portio...
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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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.