Centre County Disaster Risk
Centre County, Pennsylvania
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
68th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#36
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
81th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 81% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 43% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Centre County, Pennsylvania
Centre County's risk slightly exceeds state average
Centre County's composite risk score of 67.97 ranks it as relatively low, nearly matching Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45. This positions the county at the threshold between lower and moderate risk zones.
Mid-range risk for Pennsylvania
Centre County ranks in the middle band of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for overall natural disaster risk. It sits among the more average counties statewide in terms of hazard exposure.
Similar risk to surrounding counties
Centre County's 67.97 score closely mirrors Cambria (76.43) and Carbon (59.41) in the surrounding region. Butler County (79.26) to the northwest shows somewhat higher exposure.
Flooding and hurricanes are top threats
Centre County's flood risk of 81.23 and hurricane risk of 77.47 are its two most significant hazard exposures. Tornado risk (42.84) and earthquake risk (58.17) remain moderate but secondary to water-related threats.
Secure flood and wind protection
Centre County's flood risk score of 81.23 makes standalone flood insurance a strong recommendation for all property owners. Ensure your homeowners policy covers wind damage and develop a family emergency communication plan.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Centre County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Centre County
Risk Verdict
Centre County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 68th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Centre County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Centre County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (58th percentile), tornado (43th percentile), wildfire (33th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With flood ranked as the primary hazard at the 81th percentile nationally, Centre County households should build a go-bag that includes important documents, medications, and supplies to sustain the family for at least three days if evacuation is needed. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 77th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. A waterproof container for documents (insurance policies, ID, prescriptions) and a clear household communication plan for when phone networks are congested are the two highest-value low-cost preparedness steps for Centre County households.
Regional Context
Centre County's composite risk score is within 0.5 points of the Pennsylvania county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Centre County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Centre County, PA?
What types of natural hazards affect Centre County?
How does Centre County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Is Centre County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Centre 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.