Cambria County, Pennsylvania Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Cambria County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.4, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Cambria County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 76.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $24M in expected annual loss and about 1.29 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $798K in expected annual loss and about 38.14 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $15K in expected annual loss and about 0.73 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $32M in expected annual loss for a population of 133K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cambria County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Cambria County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 5 for flood events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Tropical Storm Debby (tropical storm), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Pennsylvania counties, Cambria County ranks #28 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.29 / yr | $24M |
| Lightning | High | 38.14 / yr | $798K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.73 / yr | $15K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 24.06 / yr | $144K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.47 / yr | $957K |
| Hail | Low | 1.81 / yr | $541K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.16 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.20 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $411K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $543 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.21 / yr | $43K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $63K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Cambria County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Tropical Storm Debby in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), Snowstorm (4), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Flood | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| April 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances |
| September 2004 | Hurricane | Tropical Depression Ivan |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cambria County?
Cambria County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cambria County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $24M EAL), Lightning (High, $798K EAL), Landslide (Low, $15K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cambria County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Cambria County ranks #28 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cambria County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Cambria County since 1972, most often 5 for flood events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Tropical Storm Debby, declared in September 2024.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Cambria County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.