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

Clinton County Disaster Risk

Clinton County, Pennsylvania

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

52th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#56

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

71th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clinton County, Pennsylvania

Clinton ranks among safer U.S. counties

A composite risk score of 51.78 places Clinton in the lower half of national disaster risk, earning a Relatively Low rating. This means residents here face significantly less natural hazard exposure than the average American county, though some localized flood and hurricane threats persist.

Pennsylvania's safest county profile

Clinton's score of 51.78 ranks substantially below Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45, making it one of the state's least hazard-exposed counties. Only a handful of Pennsylvania counties maintain lower composite risk scores, positioning Clinton as a relative safe haven within the state.

Notably safer than surrounding areas

Clinton's 51.78 score significantly underperforms both Clearfield County (67.11) to the west and Columbia County (62.05) to the southeast, offering measurably lower risk across almost all hazard categories. The county's northeastern location insulates it from many of the flood and seismic vulnerabilities that affect central and eastern Pennsylvania.

Flood risk outpaces other hazards considerably

While Clinton faces lower overall risk than most Pennsylvania counties, flooding remains the dominant concern with a risk score of 71.34. Tornado and wildfire risks remain minimal at 27.26 and 15.20 respectively, giving residents a relatively simple hazard landscape to prepare for.

Flood insurance should be your priority

Despite Clinton's overall safety, the 71.34 flood risk score means standard homeowners insurance won't cover water damage—a flood policy is essential for property protection. Given the county's low wildfire and tornado exposure, you can focus your preparedness efforts and insurance dollars on flood-related risks.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clinton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    71th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    67th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    33th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Clinton County

Risk Verdict

Clinton County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 52th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Clinton County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Clinton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 71th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 67th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (33th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), wildfire (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Clinton County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 71th 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. Secondary hurricane exposure at the 67th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. For most Clinton 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

The Pennsylvania county average exceeds Clinton County's score by 15.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Clinton 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 Clinton County, PA?
Clinton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 52th 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 Clinton County?
Clinton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (71th percentile), hurricane (67th percentile), earthquake (33th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), wildfire (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 71th 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 Clinton County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Clinton County's composite risk percentile is 52th, compared to the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clinton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Pennsylvania.
Is Clinton County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Clinton County's flooding risk is at the 71th percentile nationally. This is above the national median.
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 Clinton County a safe place to live?
Clinton County's composite risk score of 52th 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 flooding at the 71th 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.