Enter any address in Potter County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates the flood character of Potter County, Pennsylvania. Between 2025 and 2025, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 18 flash flood events and 10 flood events. For example, slow-moving thunderstorms with efficient rainfall rates caused flooding in hydrologically sensitive areas on July 16, 2025. Another event on May 16, 2025, involved thunderstorms associated with a cold front producing heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that Zone A, which typically represents areas of moderate to major flood risk, has had the highest number of claims at 56, with an average payout of $14,653. Properties in Zone X, representing areas of minimal to moderate flood risk, have also seen significant claims, averaging $11,176. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, and those in Zone X with a history of claims, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Potter County, Pennsylvania has recorded 29 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 14 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 (1972–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 9, 2024 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 11, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 25, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 1, 2010 | 800.00K |
Flood — May 16, 2025
A cold front across northwestern Pennsylvania allowed for severe thunderstorms to form during the early morning hours across northwestern Pennsylvania, briefly producing quarter-sized hail before moving northeastward into New York. Thunderstorms associated with a cold front across Ohio and western Pennsylvania continued progressing further eastward, becoming more separated from the surface cold...
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2025
Mid-level shortwave approaching the region, coupled with a low-level warm front, allowed for ample lift across central Pennsylvania during the late afternoon and evening hours of July 16, 2025. Ample moisture in place, with precipitable water values in the 1.80 to 2.20 range and very little deep-layer shear promoted slow-moving showers and thunderstorms with efficient rainfall rates across much...
Flood — Jun 9, 2025
A low pressure system stationed along the Hudson Bay allowed for central Pennsylvania to experience a brief period in the warm sector during the afternoon hours of June 9, 2025 ahead of a mid-level trough. This trough aided in large-scale ascent ahead of a surface cold front that aided in supercell development across western and central Pennsylvania during the afternoon and evening with the tra...
Flash Flood — Sep 21, 2024
A warm front approaching central Pennsylvania in an environment of sufficient instability and shear allowed for thunderstorm formation during the late afternoon and evening hours, with multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms crossing the northern tier of Pennsylvania. The multiple rounds of heavy rainfall, coupled with local topography, allowed for flash flooding across hydrologically sensitive...
Flash Flood — Jun 20, 2024
A weak upper-level shortwave provided the focus for convection to develop across northern Pennsylvania during the afternoon of June 20, 2024. High PWAT values near 2 resulted in locally heavy rainfall beneath these slow-moving storms. A report of 2.50 of rainfall in only 25 minutes contributed to localized flash flooding along the headwaters of Pine Creek in Potter County.
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 Potter 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 Potter 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.