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

Mifflin County Disaster Risk

Mifflin County, Pennsylvania

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

69th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#34

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

84th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania

Mifflin faces above-average hazards

With a composite risk score of 69.27, Mifflin County experiences above-average natural disaster exposure compared to U.S. counties overall. The county's "Relatively Low" risk rating suggests hazards are manageable but not negligible. Residents should focus on the specific threats that score highest in their region.

Close to Pennsylvania's average

Mifflin County's risk score of 69.27 slightly exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45, placing it just above the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county's flood exposure of 83.59 and hurricane vulnerability of 77.35 significantly elevate its overall ranking. This near-average position reflects moderate but real disaster preparedness needs.

Safer than most nearby counties

Mifflin County's score of 69.27 is substantially lower than Lycoming (79.58), Mercer (77.74), Monroe (85.08), and Northampton (90.01) in surrounding areas. Only McKean County (53.78) and Montour County (14.66) fall below Mifflin's risk profile. This favorable positioning makes Mifflin one of the safer central Pennsylvania counties.

Flooding and hurricanes threaten most

Mifflin County's flood risk of 83.59 ranks as its most serious hazard—substantially higher than the county's composite score suggests. Hurricane exposure follows closely at 77.35, reflecting vulnerability to tropical systems tracking inland. Tornado risk is moderate at 41.79, making severe thunderstorms a secondary but genuine concern.

Prioritize flood and wind protection

Flood insurance is critical for Mifflin County residents, as the 83.59 flood risk score indicates substantial vulnerability that standard homeowners policies don't cover. Secure your roof, trim branches overhanging your home, and reinforce garage doors to withstand high winds from hurricanes and severe storms. Identify local evacuation routes and keep emergency supplies stocked year-round.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Mifflin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    77th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    49th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Mifflin County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Mifflin County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 69th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Mifflin County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Mifflin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (49th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Flood risk is Mifflin County's top hazard at the 84th percentile nationally. Households in or near designated flood zones face elevated financial exposure; flood insurance typically requires a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect, so applying before the season is advisable. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 77th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. Households across Mifflin County should identify the nearest community shelter and keep a basic emergency kit — water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlight, and battery radio — in a location easy to grab quickly.

Regional Context

Mifflin County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Pennsylvania county average, with a 1.8-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Mifflin 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 Mifflin County, PA?
Mifflin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 69th 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 Mifflin County?
Mifflin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (84th percentile), hurricane (77th percentile), earthquake (49th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 84th 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 Mifflin County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Mifflin County's composite risk percentile is 69th, compared to the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Mifflin County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Pennsylvania.
Is Mifflin County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Mifflin County's flooding risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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.
Why is Mifflin County higher risk than average?
Mifflin County's composite risk score of 69th percentile is above the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (84th percentile), along with hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.