Clinton County, Pennsylvania Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Clinton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.8, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Clinton County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 51.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.34 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $13K in expected annual loss and about 1.02 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $16K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clinton 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: Clinton County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 4 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 67 Pennsylvania counties, Clinton County ranks #56 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.34 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.02 / yr | $13K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $16K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 14.39 / yr | $124K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $11M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $355K |
| Lightning | Medium | 33.39 / yr | $285K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $79K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.24 / yr | $344K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.88 / yr | $74K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.12 / yr | $57K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $16K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Clinton County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Flood (4), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2011 | Flood | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| 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 |
| January 1996 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clinton County?
Clinton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clinton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $13K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $16K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clinton County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Clinton County ranks #56 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clinton County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Clinton County since 1972, most often 4 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Clinton County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.