Northumberland County Disaster Risk
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
79th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#25
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
88th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 31% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 64% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 80% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
Northumberland's risk sits above the national baseline
With a composite risk score of 79.17, Northumberland County faces relatively low overall disaster risk but scores notably higher than the national average in several hazard categories. The county's hurricane risk of 79.81 and flood risk of 88.30 are particularly elevated, reflecting its exposure to Atlantic-influenced weather systems and river valley geography.
Mid-range risk among Pennsylvania counties
Northumberland's score of 79.17 places it above Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45, making it moderately exposed by state standards. The county ranks higher in flood and hurricane risk than most of its peer counties across central Pennsylvania, primarily due to Susquehanna River proximity.
Riskier than Snyder, safer than Schuylkill
Among its neighbors, Northumberland sits in the middle: it's significantly riskier than nearby Snyder County (54.29) and Perry County (53.12), but less exposed than Schuylkill County (85.31). The key difference is Northumberland's elevated flood and hurricane risk, which neighbors to the west experience less severely.
Floods and hurricanes pose greatest hazards
Northumberland's two dominant threats are flooding (88.30) and hurricane impacts (79.81), both driven by the county's position along the Susquehanna River valley and its susceptibility to Atlantic weather systems. Tornado risk (46.88) and earthquake risk (63.68) are moderate but secondary concerns compared to water-related events.
Prioritize flood and wind coverage now
Residents should ensure comprehensive flood insurance is in place, as standard homeowners policies don't cover flood damage—particularly critical given the county's 88.30 flood risk rating. Verify that your policy includes adequate wind and hail coverage to protect against severe storms and hurricane-force winds.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Northumberland County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Northumberland County
Risk Verdict
Northumberland County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 79th percentile across all U.S. counties. Northumberland County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Northumberland County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 80th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (64th percentile), tornado (47th percentile), wildfire (31th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With flood ranked as the primary hazard at the 88th percentile nationally, Northumberland 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. The county's second-ranked hazard, hurricane at the 80th percentile nationally, means Northumberland County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. 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 Northumberland County households.
Regional Context
A composite score 11.7 points above the Pennsylvania state average puts Northumberland County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Northumberland County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Northumberland County, PA?
What types of natural hazards affect Northumberland County?
How does Northumberland County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Is Northumberland County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Northumberland 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.