Enter any address in Wayne County, Pennsylvania to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Wayne County, PA. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 57 flash flood events, alongside 10 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in May 2025, caused by slow-moving thunderstorms that repeatedly struck the same areas, and July 2025, where torrential rainfall from slow-moving storms led to localized flooding of roads and residences.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $27,168 and an average water depth of 10.9 feet. Properties in Zone X also show significant claim activity. Homeowners in areas identified as Zone A, as well as those near smaller streams or in low-lying areas prone to rapid water accumulation, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
25 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wayne County, Pennsylvania has recorded 67 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 57 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 25 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 (1965–2024)
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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 26, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| 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 | Jun 22, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2025 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2025 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 9, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 250.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 22, 2025
A mesoscale convective system (MCS) dropped southward across Central NY from eastern Ontario, moving into an environment with plenty of moisture and instability during the early morning hours. Torrential rainfall accompanied these storms and produced widespread flash flooding and small river flooding. Estimates of 3 to 5 inches, with locally higher amounts, fell mostly within a 6-hour period an...
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 — Jul 12, 2025
A warm and unstable environment south of a warm front supported the development of scattered thunderstorms over northeastern Pennsylvania. Torrential rainfall contributed to localized flooding of small streams, creeks and area roads.
Flash Flood — May 9, 2025
A slow-moving upper level low pressure system moved across Northeast Pennsylvania during the day. This feature triggered scattered thunderstorms with locally heavy rainfall that led to isolated flash flooding of roads.
Flash Flood — May 6, 2025
A slow moving upper level low pressure system interacted with a surface frontal boundary to induce torrential rain producing thunderstorms. These storms moved into Northeast Pennsylvania during the afternoon and repeatedly struck the same areas leading to localized flash flooding of roads, ditches and urban areas.
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 Wayne 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 Wayne 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.