Allentown, PA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Allentown is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Lehigh County, PA. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, winter weather, and heat wave.
Storm events near Allentown
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Allentown's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Allentown itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Lehigh County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Allentown along with the rest of the county, not a Allentown-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 30.3 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 95.4 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 89.8 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 96.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 87.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | 15.4 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 98.9 | Very High |
| Drought | 64.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 38.8 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 90.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 78.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 79.5 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 95.7 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 95.6 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 98.8 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Lehigh County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Lehigh County:
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Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Allentown, PA at risk of?
Allentown is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Lehigh County, where Allentown is located, are cold wave, winter weather, and heat wave.
What is Allentown's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Lehigh County, where Allentown is located, scoring 98.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Allentown a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Allentown carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Lehigh County.
Has Allentown had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 16 tornado, 107 hail, 213 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Allentown since 2016.