Lehigh County Disaster Risk
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
94th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#6
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
95th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 30% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Lehigh County faces above-average multi-hazard risk
Lehigh County's composite risk score of 93.89 and "Relatively Moderate" rating place it 26 points above Pennsylvania's 67.45 state average. This substantial elevation reflects significant vulnerability across multiple hazard categories, approaching the state's highest-risk tier.
Third-highest risk county in Pennsylvania
Lehigh ranks among the top three counties in Pennsylvania for composite disaster risk, with only Lancaster (95.04) and Luzerne (91.63) counties exceeding its exposure. This positions Lehigh as one of the state's most hazard-prone regions.
Riskiest county in the Lehigh Valley
Lehigh's 93.89 score substantially exceeds neighboring Northampton County (88.70) and Carbon County (81.50), making it the most exposed county in the eastern Pennsylvania cluster. This pattern reflects Lehigh's unique concentration of overlapping hazards.
Tornadoes, flooding, and earthquakes pose extreme danger
Lehigh County faces extreme tornado risk (87.37), severe flood risk (95.36), and significant earthquake danger (89.79), with hurricane exposure (90.20) compounding the threat. Wildfire risk (30.31) remains comparatively modest, but the convergence of other hazards is severe.
Comprehensive coverage and reinforcement critical
Flood insurance is essential in Lehigh County; ensure you have coverage through NFIP or private policies immediately. Reinforce your home for seismic activity, install storm shutters and wind-resistant roofing, and establish a safe room for tornado season to address your county's extreme multi-hazard exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lehigh County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lehigh County
Risk Verdict
Lehigh County faces a moderate natural disaster risk profile, ranking at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's composite risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Lehigh County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 90th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (90th percentile), tornado (87th percentile), wildfire (30th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Lehigh County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 95th 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 90th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. For most Lehigh 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
Lehigh County's composite risk score sits 26.4 points above the Pennsylvania county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Lehigh County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lehigh County, PA?
What types of natural hazards affect Lehigh County?
How does Lehigh County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Is Lehigh County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Lehigh 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.