riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Cameron County Disaster Risk

Cameron County, Pennsylvania

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

13th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#65

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

41th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cameron County, Pennsylvania

Cameron County has very low risk

Cameron County's composite risk score of 12.63 ranks it in the very low category—far below Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45. This rural county faces minimal natural disaster exposure compared to other regions in the state and nation.

Lowest-risk county in Pennsylvania

Cameron County ranks at or near the bottom of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for overall disaster risk. Its 12.63 score reflects genuinely low exposure across most hazard categories.

Significantly safer than surrounding areas

Cameron County's risk score of 12.63 is dramatically lower than Clarion County (30.03) to the west and Carbon County (59.41) to the south. This geographic pocket of low risk is a notable advantage for the county.

Hurricane exposure is the main concern

Cameron County's hurricane risk score of 55.07 stands well above its other hazard ratings; all other risks score below 41. While this reflects Pennsylvania's location east of major hurricane zones, coastal tropical systems remain the primary natural hazard threat.

Standard coverage generally sufficient here

Cameron County's very low overall risk means basic homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents. Still, evaluate your roof condition and have a family emergency plan in case of the rare severe weather event.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cameron County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    55th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    13th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Cameron County

Risk Verdict

At the 13th percentile nationally, Cameron County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Residents of Cameron County can use the 13th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Cameron County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (13th percentile), tornado (11th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Cameron County ranks at the 55th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Flood at the 41th percentile nationally is Cameron County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For extended post-storm outages common in Cameron County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

A composite score 54.8 points below the Pennsylvania state average puts Cameron County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Cameron County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Cameron County, PA?
Cameron County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 13th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Cameron County?
Cameron County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (55th percentile), flooding (41th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), tornado (11th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 55th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Cameron County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Cameron County's composite risk percentile is 13th, compared to the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cameron County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Pennsylvania.
Is Cameron County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Cameron County's hurricane risk is at the 55th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Cameron County is at the 41th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Cameron County a safe place to live?
Cameron County's composite risk score of 13th percentile is below the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 55th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.