Enter any address in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lehigh County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 95 flash flood events, alongside 31 general flood events and 2 tropical storms. For example, flash flooding occurred on July 14, 2025, and August 18, 2024, following periods of showers and thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $15,269 and an average water depth of 3.5 feet. Claims in Zone X_UNSHADED also show significant payouts, averaging $15,164 with a water depth of 0.8 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
21 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania has recorded 128 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 95 flash floods and 31 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 3, 2011 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| 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 |
| Snow | Severe Storm | Feb 14, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 28, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 15, 2023 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 15, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 8, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 1, 2021 | 20.00M |
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2025
An approaching cold front sparked off showers and thunderstorms across the forecast area. Flash flooding resulted.
Flash Flood — Aug 18, 2024
Waves of showers and thunderstorms ahead of a cold front produced widespread showers and thunderstorms. A few storms produced large hail and damaging wind gusts, knocking down trees and power lines across portions of eastern Pennsylvania.
Flood — Dec 28, 2023
A coastal surface low moved north/northeastward on Wednesday night into Thursday (December 27-28th). Total rainfall amounts across the forecast area varied from about 1.00 inches up to 3.00 inches. The heaviest rains fell west of the I-95 corridor. This heavy rain fell on already saturated soils. As a result, river flooding was prevalent across the Passaic Basin, Raritan Basin, and southeast Pe...
Flood — Dec 18, 2023
A strengthening coastal low pressure system brought several rounds of rain to the region Sunday night into Monday (December 17-18th). Total rainfall amounts across the forecast area varied from about 1.50 inches up to 7.00 inches. The heaviest rains fell across southern Delaware up through the coastal plain of New Jersey. This heavy rain fell on already saturated soils. As a result, river flood...
Flash Flood — Apr 15, 2023
Thunderstorms during the afternoon and early evening of April 15 produced locally heavy rain in eastern Pennsylvania. Rainfall totals were as high as 2.0 to 3.5 inches.
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 Lehigh 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 Lehigh 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.