Crawford County, Pennsylvania Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Crawford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.0, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $27M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Crawford County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 76.0 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $284K in expected annual loss and about 26.22 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $22M in expected annual loss and about 2.36 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.75 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $27M in expected annual loss for a population of 84K.
Beyond physical exposure, Crawford County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Crawford County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 67 Pennsylvania counties, Crawford County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 26.22 / yr | $284K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.36 / yr | $22M |
| Strong Wind | High | 1.75 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 37.78 / yr | $645K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $334K |
| Hail | Low | 2.50 / yr | $268K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.14 / yr | $91K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.35 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $210K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $72K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.47 / yr | $212K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Crawford County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Severe Storm (3), 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 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances |
| September 2004 | Hurricane | Tropical Depression Ivan |
| August 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 1996 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 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 Crawford County?
Crawford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.0 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 Crawford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $284K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $22M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Crawford County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Crawford County ranks #30 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Crawford County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Crawford County since 1972, most often 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm 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. Crawford County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.