Forest County Disaster Risk
Forest County, Pennsylvania
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
20th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#63
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
44th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 5% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Forest County, Pennsylvania
Forest County sits among safest counties
With a composite risk score of just 19.91, Forest County ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for natural disaster risk—a "Very Low" rating. This stands in sharp contrast to the typical U.S. county and makes Forest one of the nation's safer places from a hazard perspective.
Lowest-risk county in Pennsylvania
Forest County's 19.91 composite score is by far the lowest in Pennsylvania, where the state average sits at 67.45. This represents less than 30% of the state average, reflecting exceptional protection across most hazard types.
Dramatically safer than surrounding counties
Forest's 19.91 score is a fraction of neighboring Warren County and Venango County's exposure. The county's remote, sparsely populated geography and distance from major fault lines and coastal areas drive this unusually low risk profile.
Hurricane risk outpaces all other hazards
Even in low-risk Forest County, hurricane risk ranks highest at 52.07, though this remains moderate compared to coastal states. Wildfire risk is negligible at 4.77, and tornado risk minimal at 13.99.
Standard homeowner's insurance sufficient
Forest County residents can rely on standard homeowner's insurance policies without specialized flood or wildfire riders. An annual policy review remains prudent, but Forest offers natural disaster protection that most American counties cannot match.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Forest County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Forest County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Forest County ranks at the 20th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Even at the 20th percentile, Forest County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Forest County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 52th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (20th percentile), tornado (14th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 52th percentile nationally, Forest 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. Flood at the 44th percentile nationally is Forest County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Forest County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
At 47.5 points below the Pennsylvania state average, Forest County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Forest County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Forest County, PA?
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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.