🌍 ClimateRiskCheck

Natural Disaster Risk β€” ZIP Code 16441

Waterford, Pennsylvania

6.4out of 10
High Risk

Risk Summary for ZIP 16441

ZIP 16441 scores 6.4/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Lightning.

Top Hazards

Lightning Winter Weather Strong Wind

All 18 Hazard Scores

Winter Weather
9.6
Lightning
9.6
Strong Wind
9.5
Coastal Flooding
9.1
Hurricane
8.1
Ice Storm
7.5
Tornado
7.1
Earthquake
6.5
Hail
5.8
Tsunami
5.4
Landslide
5.2
Volcanic Activity
5.1
Extreme Heat
4.9
Cold Wave
4.7
Wildfire
4.5
Avalanche
4.5
Drought
1.7
Riverine Flooding
1.0

How it compares

ZIP 16441
6.4
Pennsylvania avg.
5.9
US national avg.
4.5

Live Conditions

Checking live alerts…

🏠 What this means for insurance

Above-average risk β€” check your policy limits

Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).

This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.

Natural Hazard Profile: ZIP 16441, Pennsylvania

Located in the Great Lakes region, ZIP 16441 serves the Waterford community. The humid continental climate of this part of Pennsylvania β€” bringing cold winters, warm summers, and four distinct seasons β€” directly shapes the hazard exposure for properties in this postal area.

ZIP 16441's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.4/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Frequent lightning strikes from an active thunderstorm environment represent the top natural hazard risk, posing safety concerns and causing fire ignitions and power outages. Secondary hazards include winter and wind.

Relative to other U.S. communities, ZIP 16441's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly above the 5.9/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by lightning and winter, as measured by FEMA across Pennsylvania. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, ZIP 16441 residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for lightning and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.

What this means for ZIP 16441: Lightning preparedness

  • Follow the "when thunder roars, go indoors" rule and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder.
  • Avoid plumbing and corded electronics during active thunderstorms.
  • Install whole-home surge protection to shield electronics from strike-related power surges.

Risk for the surrounding area

Local Factors for ZIP 16441

These city-level factors differentiate ZIP 16441 from other communities in Pennsylvania County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.

Population

9,134

Small Town

Geographic Zone

Great Lakes

Lake-effect snow & wind risk

Climate Band

Moderate Continental

Latitude 42.0Β°

Flood Terrain

Minimal β€” county topography limits flood risk

Flood score: 1.0/10

Wildfire Exposure

Lower β€” moist climate limits wildfire frequency

Fire score: 4.5/10

Coordinates

41.9554Β° N, 79.9855Β° W

Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.

Recent Climate Data for ZIP 16441

Last 12 months Β· Source: Open-Meteo archive

Loading climate data…

Nearby ZIP codes

Other cities in Pennsylvania

Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). County-level data applied to ZIP codes within each county. Scores are normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. This information is for general awareness only β€” consult official emergency management resources and a licensed insurer for property-specific advice.