State College, PA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
State College is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Centre County, PA. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, lightning, and landslide.
Storm events near State College
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of State College's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to State College 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 Centre County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering State College along with the rest of the county, not a State College-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 32.5 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 81.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 58.2 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 48 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 42.8 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | 65.2 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 22.3 | Very Low |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 26 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 77.5 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 39.8 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 87.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 89.3 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 53.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 94.4 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Centre County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Centre County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is State College, PA at risk of?
State College is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Centre County, where State College is located, are winter weather, lightning, and landslide.
What is State College's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Centre County, where State College is located, scoring 94.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is State College a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — State College carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Centre County.
Has State College had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 3 tornado, 30 hail, 14 inland flooding events within 25 miles of State College since 2016.