Natural Disaster Risk in Breezewood

Natural Hazard Profile: Breezewood, Pennsylvania

Located along the mid-Atlantic coast in Bedford County, Breezewood is a small community of about 1,222. The humid continental climate that characterizes this part of Pennsylvania — marked by cold winters, warm summers, and four distinct seasons — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Breezewood a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

Breezewood's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.1/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. Secondary hazards include avalanche and hurricane.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Breezewood's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly below the 5.9/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by landslide and avalanche, as measured by FEMA across Bedford County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a moderate risk rating, Breezewood residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for landslide is recommended.