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Sullivan County, Pennsylvania

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Very Low overall risk
66th of 67highest risk in Pennsylvania
$4Mexpected losses a year
23federal declarations
1 in 100homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

Sullivan County, Pennsylvania has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 89% of US counties. It ranks 66th of 67 counties in Pennsylvania. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, hurricanes and strong wind. FEMA estimates about $4.1 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $697 per resident. Since 1972 it has been included in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (18 major disasters). The most recent was in September 2024 (Tropical Storm Debby). About 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (58 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $3.9 million on 134 claims here, including $2.3 million for floods in 2011.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in Sullivan County

$3.6 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once a year.
  • 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.
$151,092 a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 30 years.
  • Know your evacuation zone and route before June 1.
  • Ask about roof age, shutters and the separate wind or hurricane deductible on your home policy.

Strong wind

Very Low
$84,319 a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 2 times a year.
  • Secure outdoor furniture and trash bins before storms.
  • Have trees near the house checked.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
Inland floodingLow37.4
$4M
HurricaneLow58.9
$151K
Strong windVery Low13.0
$84K
TornadoVery Low12.2
$78K
Cold waveVery Low10.7
$68K
LightningVery Low15.6
$43K
EarthquakeVery Low24.5
$34K
Winter weatherLow30.8
$25K
Heat waveVery Low6.9
$8K
HailVery Low3.4
$5K
Ice stormVery Low11.5
$5K
LandslideLow64.3
$3K
AvalancheVery Low64.3
$2K
WildfireVery Low6.0
$2K

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively high and community resilience is very high in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included Sullivan County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Flood7
Severe Storm7
Hurricane6
Snowstorm2
Tropical Storm1

Most recent

Sep 11, 2024Tropical Storm DebbyMajor disaster
Nov 27, 2018Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Dec 2, 2016Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Jan 10, 2013Hurricane SandyMajor disaster
Oct 29, 2012Hurricane SandyEmergency
Sep 12, 2011Tropical Storm LeeMajor disaster
Sep 8, 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm LeeEmergency
Sep 3, 2011Hurricane IreneMajor disaster
Aug 29, 2011Hurricane IreneEmergency
Jul 13, 2011Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Show all 23
Feb 23, 2007Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 30, 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and MudslidesMajor disaster
Sep 10, 2005Hurricane KatrinaEmergency
Sep 19, 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression FrancesMajor disaster
Sep 19, 2004Tropical Depression IvanMajor disaster
Aug 6, 2004Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Jan 21, 1996Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Jan 13, 1996Blizzard of 96Major disaster
Mar 10, 1994Severe Winter StormsMajor disaster
Mar 16, 1993Severe Snowfall & Winter StormEmergency
Oct 20, 1976Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Sep 26, 1975Severe Storms, Heavy Rains & FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 23, 1972Tropical Storm AgnesMajor disaster

Pennsylvania also had 7 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1954

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 179 storm reports in Sullivan County since 1954, with 1 death and 2 injuries and about $11.9 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F2 tornado on September 19, 1954.

13tornadoes
19hail reports, largest 1.75 inches
112damaging thunderstorm winds
34floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
Sep 19, 1954F2–0 / 0
Apr 14, 1974F2–0 / 0
Jul 8, 2014EF2Cherry Mills0 / 0
Aug 16, 1997F1Nordmont0 / 1
Apr 15, 2019EF1Millview0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
Oct 21, 2016Flash FloodHillsgrove$7M
Aug 28, 2011Flash FloodColley$2M
Apr 26, 2011Flash FloodDushore$2M
Apr 15, 2019TornadoMillview$500K
Jul 1, 1999TornadoHugos Corners$200K
Sep 19, 1954Tornado–$25K

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jul 4, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Hurricanes and tropical storms

Hurricane risk by county ›

Since 1878, 1 hurricane and 5 tropical storms have passed within 65 miles of the center of Sullivan County, 1 of them since 1950. The strongest was an unnamed hurricane in 1878, with top winds near 85 mph about 60 miles away.

1hurricanes
0major hurricanes (Category 3+)
5tropical storms
1979most recent: David

Strongest storms nearby

DateStormStrengthClosest
Oct 23, 1878UnnamedCategory 1, 85 mph60 mi
Sep 16, 1903UnnamedTropical storm, 65 mph58 mi
Aug 29, 1949UnnamedTropical storm, 60 mph44 mi
Aug 24, 1933UnnamedTropical storm, 50 mph63 mi
Sep 6, 1979DavidTropical storm, 45 mph56 mi
Aug 21, 1888UnnamedTropical storm, 45 mph58 mi

Most recent storms

DateStormStrengthClosest
Sep 6, 1979DavidTropical storm, 45 mph56 mi
Aug 29, 1949UnnamedTropical storm, 60 mph44 mi
Aug 24, 1933UnnamedTropical storm, 50 mph63 mi
Sep 16, 1903UnnamedTropical storm, 65 mph58 mi
Aug 21, 1888UnnamedTropical storm, 45 mph58 mi
Oct 23, 1878UnnamedCategory 1, 85 mph60 mi

Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center best-track records (HURDAT2), 1851 to 2025 for the Atlantic and 1949 to 2025 for the eastern Pacific. A storm counts if its track passed within 65 miles of the county's center while it was a tropical storm or hurricane. Strength is the storm's top sustained wind at that point, not the wind measured in the county. Older storms over the open sea were sometimes missed.

Flood insurance in Sullivan County

Check your address flood zone ›
1%of homes have federal flood insurance (58 policies)
11.8%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$3.9 millionpaid on 134 flood claims since 1978
2011costliest year, with $2.3 million paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in Sullivan County

$197,100median home value (Pennsylvania $254,500, US $332,700)
1973median year homes were built (Pennsylvania 1965, US 1980)
61%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
8.2%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 5,584 housing units.

Compare in Pennsylvania

All 67 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Philadelphia CountyVery HighInland flooding
Allegheny CountyHighInland flooding
Montgomery CountyHighInland flooding
Bucks CountyHighInland flooding
Delaware CountyModerateInland flooding
Lancaster CountyHighInland flooding
Chester CountyModerateInland flooding
York CountyModerateInland flooding

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Luzerne CountyModerate21
Lycoming CountyLow19
Columbia CountyLow18
Bradford CountyLow19
Wyoming CountyLow25

Common questions about Sullivan County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Sullivan County?

Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Sullivan County, about $3.6 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Hurricane is second at $151,092.

How many federal disasters has Sullivan County had?

Sullivan County has been included in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1972, including 18 major disasters. The most recent was Tropical Storm Debby in September 2024.

Is Sullivan County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Very Low, 66th highest of 67 in Pennsylvania. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in Sullivan County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 100 homes in Sullivan County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has Sullivan County had?

NOAA records list 13 tornadoes in Sullivan County since 1950. The strongest was an F2 tornado on September 19, 1954. The weather service has also logged 19 hail reports and 34 floods here.

How many hurricanes have hit Sullivan County?

NOAA's hurricane records show 1 hurricane and 5 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the center of Sullivan County. The strongest was an unnamed hurricane in 1878, with winds near 85 mph.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.