Enter any address in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Luzerne County. The NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 111 flash flood events and 29 flood events in the last 30 years. Recent examples include flash flooding on August 13, 2025, which caused significant urban flooding and stranded vehicles in the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton metro areas, and localized flash flooding of roads and small streams on July 14, 2025, due to slow-moving thunderstorms.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $27,780 and an average water depth of 9.0 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X also have significant claim histories. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED 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.
81 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania has recorded 140 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 111 flash floods and 29 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Aug 31, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 3, 2011 |
| Tropical Storm Lee | Flood | Sep 3, 2011 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2025 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Jun 7, 2025 | 10.00K |
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...
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 — 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 — Jun 21, 2024
A few weak disturbances tracked along the northern periphery of a strong upper ridge, triggering scattered thunderstorms. Many of the storms developed near a frontal boundary that was approaching the New York-Pennsylvania border. With heat, humidity and instability in place, some thunderstorms moved very slowly producing 1 to 2 inches of rainfall within an hour which contributed to flooding in ...
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 Luzerne 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 Luzerne 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.