Enter any address in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event in Philadelphia County, with 143 recorded incidents over the last 30 years. These events have resulted in 6 fatalities. For example, a slow-moving cold front produced heavy rain and flash flooding on July 9th, 2025, and again on August 13th, 2025, due to a pre-frontal trough. Other flood types include general floods (97 events), coastal floods (41 events), storm surge/tide (17 events), and tropical storms (3 events).
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims at 785, with an average payout of $34,169 and an average water depth of 3.1 feet. Properties in Zone X also show significant claims, with 325 claims and an average payout of $22,623. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near waterways prone to flash flooding, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
40 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania has recorded 301 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 143 flash floods and 97 river or area floods. The county has received 25 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2021)
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 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 4, 2014 |
| 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 Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Apr 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2025
A stationary front sparked off showers and thunderstorms across the forecast area. Flash flooding resulted.
Flash Flood — Aug 17, 2025
A cold front was responsible for afternoon and evening thunderstorms. A few of these thunderstorms caused flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 16, 2025
Scattered thunderstorms developed along a slow moving warm front.
Flash Flood — Aug 13, 2025
A pre-frontal trough, or elongated area of low pressure, was responsible for thunderstorms and subsequent flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 9, 2025
A slow-moving cold front produced heavy rain and flash flooding across portions of the region. This is the same front that caused flash flooding the day prior.
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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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.