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

Venango County Disaster Risk

Venango County, Pennsylvania

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

56th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#49

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

74th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Venango County, Pennsylvania

Venango County faces moderate U.S. risk

Venango County's composite risk score of 55.60 places it in the moderate range of American counties, neither among the safest nor most vulnerable communities. This profile reflects meaningful but manageable natural hazard exposure that residents should actively prepare for.

Below state average risk in Pennsylvania

Venango County scores 55.60 compared to Pennsylvania's average of 67.45, ranking it as relatively low-risk statewide. The county performs better than most of its Pennsylvania peers on composite disaster vulnerability.

Comparable risk to nearby northwestern counties

Venango County (55.60) faces similar exposure to Warren County (65.55) but less than neighboring Washington County (83.08), Pennsylvania's second-highest-risk county. The county's 74.14 flood score reflects its vulnerability to water hazards affecting the northwestern region.

Flood and tornado risks require attention

Venango County's main hazards are flood risk (74.14) and tornado risk (34.54), both above state averages and creating significant water and weather exposure. Hurricane risk (55.24) and earthquake risk (28.50) present secondary but notable concerns for the county.

Bundle flood coverage with homeowners policy

Venango County residents should obtain flood insurance in addition to standard homeowners coverage, given the county's high flood risk of 74.14. A comprehensive insurance strategy addressing both flood and windstorm protection ensures adequate financial safeguards for this community.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Venango County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    74th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    55th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    35th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Venango County

Risk Verdict

Venango County ranks at the 56th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Venango County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (35th percentile), earthquake (28th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Venango County sits at the 74th percentile nationally for flood exposure. Knowing your property's flood zone designation — available at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center — is the first step toward understanding actual exposure and insurance options. The county's second-ranked hazard, hurricane at the 55th percentile nationally, means Venango County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Regardless of specific hazard, Venango County households benefit from a practiced communication plan: a designated out-of-state contact and a pre-agreed evacuation destination established before the season's peak risk period.

Regional Context

A composite score 11.8 points below the Pennsylvania state average puts Venango County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Venango 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 Venango County, PA?
Venango County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 56th 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 Venango County?
Venango County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (74th percentile), hurricane (55th percentile), tornado (35th percentile), earthquake (28th percentile), wildfire (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 74th 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 Venango County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Venango County's composite risk percentile is 56th, compared to the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Venango County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Pennsylvania.
Is Venango County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Venango County's flooding risk is at the 74th 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 Venango County a safe place to live?
Venango County's composite risk score of 56th 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 74th 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.