Clearfield County, Pennsylvania Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 67th
Clearfield County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 67.1, 67th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Clearfield County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 67.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 67th 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.
Most of Clearfield County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $348K in expected annual loss and about 18.43 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $770K in expected annual loss and about 36.16 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.28 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 81K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clearfield County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Clearfield County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Tropical Storm Debby (tropical storm), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Pennsylvania counties, Clearfield County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 18.43 / yr | $348K |
| Lightning | High | 36.16 / yr | $770K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.28 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.28 / yr | $16K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.36 / yr | $17M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $557K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.79 / yr | $1M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $388 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $159K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.31 / yr | $760K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.25 / yr | $38K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.26 / yr | $55K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $41K |
| 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
Clearfield County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Tropical Storm Debby in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Severe Storm (3), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| September 2004 | Hurricane | Tropical Depression Ivan |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances |
| July 1996 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| January 1996 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clearfield County?
Clearfield County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 67.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 67th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clearfield County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $348K EAL), Lightning (High, $770K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clearfield County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Clearfield County ranks #38 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clearfield County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Clearfield County since 1972, most often 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm 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. Clearfield County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.