Cambria County Disaster Risk
Cambria County, Pennsylvania
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
76th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#28
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
86th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 86% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 41% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 64% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Cambria County, Pennsylvania
Cambria faces moderate natural disaster risk
With a composite risk score of 76.43, Cambria County rates as relatively low—just above Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45. This positions the county in a moderate risk band where preparedness is important but not dire.
Mid-range risk among Pennsylvania counties
Cambria County ranks in the middle group of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for overall disaster risk. It sits between higher-risk counties to the east and lower-risk counties to the north and west.
Similar risk to nearby counties
Cambria's 76.43 score is comparable to Butler County (79.26) and Centre County (67.97), indicating this region shares consistent moderate-risk exposure. Carbon County (59.41) to the northeast shows notably lower risk.
Flooding and hurricanes matter most
Cambria County's flood risk of 85.72 and hurricane risk of 76.22 are its two dominant hazard threats. While tornado risk (63.87) and earthquake risk (60.62) remain elevated, water-related disasters pose the most practical concern for residents.
Flood and wind insurance are crucial
Cambria's flood risk score of 85.72 makes standalone flood insurance a must, and its hurricane risk of 76.22 means ensuring strong wind coverage in your homeowners policy. Review roof condition and storm sheltering options before severe weather season.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Cambria County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Cambria County
Risk Verdict
Cambria County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Cambria County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (64th percentile), earthquake (61th percentile), wildfire (41th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Cambria County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 76th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. For most Cambria County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.
Regional Context
Cambria County's composite risk score sits 9.0 points above the Pennsylvania county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Cambria County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Cambria County, PA?
What types of natural hazards affect Cambria County?
How does Cambria County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Is Cambria County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Cambria County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.