Carbon County Disaster Risk
Carbon County, Pennsylvania
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
59th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#46
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
68th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 68% 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
Very Low
Higher than 38% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Carbon County, Pennsylvania
Carbon faces below-average risk overall
Carbon County's composite risk score of 59.41 places it in the relatively low category, nearly 8 points below Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45. While the county experiences some natural hazard exposure, it ranks among the safer regions statewide.
Lower-risk positioning in Pennsylvania
Carbon County ranks in the lower-risk half of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for disaster exposure. Its score reflects moderate hazard exposure without the elevated vulnerability seen in higher-risk counties.
Safer than most nearby counties
Carbon County's 59.41 score is lower than Cambria (76.43), Centre (67.97), and Butler (79.26) to the west. It sits higher than only Clarion County (30.03) and Cameron County (12.63) among the broader region.
Flooding and hurricanes lead concerns
Carbon County's flood risk of 67.53 and hurricane risk of 73.13 are its two highest hazard exposures. While tornado risk (37.88) and earthquake risk (46.60) remain relatively modest, water-related threats deserve primary planning attention.
Flood insurance should be prioritized
With a flood risk score of 67.53, Carbon County residents should secure standalone flood insurance as a core protection. Verify that your homeowners policy covers wind damage and maintain clear drainage around your property.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Carbon County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Carbon County
Risk Verdict
Carbon County's FEMA risk score places it at the 59th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Carbon County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (47th percentile), wildfire (41th percentile), tornado (38th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 73th percentile nationally, Carbon County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Carbon County's flood exposure at the 68th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Carbon County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
At 8.0 points below the Pennsylvania state average, Carbon County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Carbon County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Carbon County, PA?
What types of natural hazards affect Carbon County?
How does Carbon County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Is Carbon County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Carbon County a safe place to live?
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.