Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: natural disaster risk
How exposed Bethlehem is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Lehigh County.
Bethlehem is a city of 77,956 people in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Parts of Bethlehem also reach into Northampton County. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lehigh County relatively moderate for natural hazards overall, about average for the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, cold wave and heat wave, with about $128 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 696 storm reports in the county since 1950, including 15 tornadoes and 118 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 1 hurricane and 11 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center. About 0.4% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Lehigh County, the county with most of the population Bethlehem sits in. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Bethlehem
Full Lehigh County report ›- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Insulate pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and garages.
- Know how to shut off the main water valve.
- Check that cooling works before summer.
- Know where the nearest cooling center is.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $68M | |
| Cold wave | $30M | |
| Heat wave | $7M | |
| Hurricane | $7M | |
| Tornado | $5M | |
| Earthquake | $4M | |
| Strong wind | $3M | |
| Lightning | $2M | |
| Winter weather | $1M | |
| Drought | $334K | |
| Ice storm | $310K | |
| Hail | $149K |
Homes in Bethlehem
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Lehigh County
More cities in Lehigh County
Other cities in Pennsylvania
All ›Common questions about Bethlehem
Is Bethlehem safe from natural disasters?
Bethlehem is in Lehigh County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively moderate overall, about average for the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, cold wave, heat wave. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Bethlehem?
By expected yearly losses in Lehigh County, the top hazards are inland flooding (High), cold wave (Very High), heat wave (Moderate). Lehigh County has been part of 15 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Bethlehem get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 15 tornadoes in Lehigh County since 1950; the strongest was an F2 tornado on July 5, 1984. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county moderate.
Do I need flood insurance in Bethlehem?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Lehigh County, about 0.4% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk high. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.