Enter any address in McKean County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in McKean County. Recent events include flash flooding reported on June 26, 2024, and August 15, 2019, due to slow-moving thunderstorms. Additionally, a flood event on January 12, 2018, was associated with a strong cold front and ice jams.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $7,163 and an average water depth of 1.3 feet. Properties in Zone X, though fewer in number, have seen higher average payouts of $13,038, with an average reported water depth of -0.1 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and those in Zone X, as well as properties located near rivers or streams, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
McKean County, Pennsylvania has recorded 36 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 26 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 13 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 (1972–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| 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 |
| Pa - Flooding 8/20/99 | Severe Storm | Aug 20, 1999 |
| 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 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 28, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 11, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 19, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 25, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 1, 2010 | 200.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2024
Numerous showers and storms developed ahead of an approaching cold front on June 26, 2024. Some of these storms became severe, producing sporadic wind damage and a few severe hail reports across central Pennsylvania. There was also some flash flooding reported across the northwest mountains in portions of Warren and McKean counties.
Flash Flood — Jul 17, 2021
Scattered showers and thunderstorms develop during the early afternoon hours of July 17, 2021 across western Pennsylvania and in the Lower Susquehanna Valley in an anomalously humid airmass ahead of an approaching cold front. The storms over the Lower Susquehanna Valley developed on a weak boundary in a high CAPE environment, and produced sporadic wind damage before moving to the east. The stor...
Flash Flood — Aug 15, 2019
Slow moving thunderstorms brought some flash flooding to portions of the area on the evening of August 15th.
Flood — Jan 12, 2018
A strong cold front crossed central Pennsylvania during the evening of January 12, 2018. The front was preceded by near-record warmth, and accompanied by showers and gusty thunderstorms. Temperatures dropped quickly behind the front, with precipitation changing over to a wintry mix and eventually snow. Several ice jams were reported over northern Pennsylvania.
Flood — May 28, 2013
Strong to severe convective development shifted east of the Lake Erie region into northwest Pennsylvania, within a zone of broader vertical ascent extending downstream from an upper level wave migrating into the Great Lakes region. Isolated straight-line wind damage occurred around a supercell that moved across northern Warren into McKean County. Heavy thunderstorm rains also produced localized...
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 McKean 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 McKean 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.