Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 42069 · population 215,724 · 459 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 582 records for Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 360 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (250 records). The deadliest single record is the September 9, 2023 flash flood: 2 deaths, 2 injuries and $2.4 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 22 declarations naming the county since 1972, 20 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms and Flooding” on November 27, 2018.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 582on 360 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 315 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $189Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 12strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 22latest 2020
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Lackawanna County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 250 since 1958. 46% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1958 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Pennsylvania's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 250 | 148 | 1958-2026 | 0 | 1 | $1.9M | 29 of 67 |
| Floods | 99 | 54 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 6 | $174M | 18 of 67 |
| Winter storms | 87 | 87 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.0M | 22 of 67 |
| Hail | 74 | 47 | 1959-2024 | 0 | 1 | $41K | 17 of 67 |
| High wind and dust storms | 21 | 21 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 1 | $2.5M | 26 of 67 |
| Lightning | 16 | 15 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 6 | $270K | 11 of 67 |
| Tornadoes | 12 | 10 | 1991-2023 | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | 30 of 67 |
| Extreme cold | 11 | 11 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $7.5M | 22 of 67 |
| Drought | 5 | 5 | 1997-2024 | 0 | 0 | $368K | 28 of 67 |
| Heat | 4 | 4 | 2001-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 26 of 67 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 3 | 3 | 1996-2009 | 0 | 0 | – | 13 of 67 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Lackawanna County had?
NOAA records 12 tornadoes in Lackawanna County from 1991 to 2023, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 30th of 67 Pennsylvania counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 12 tornadoes whose track touched Lackawanna County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 12, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Pennsylvania.
Every tornado record filed for Lackawanna County (12)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-07-02 | Throop, Lackawanna County | EF0 0.23 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2019-05-28 | Newton, Lackawanna County | EF1 0.79 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | $29K |
| 2019-04-15 | Scranton, Lackawanna County | EF0 3.22 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $29K |
| 2018-10-02 | Springbrook Corners, Lackawanna County | EF0 0.15 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $29K |
| 2018-10-02 | Hillside Jct, Lackawanna County | EF0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2017-02-25 | Hillside Jct, Lackawanna County | EF2 5.4 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $60K |
| 2010-11-17 | Jessup, Lackawanna County | EF1 1.73 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $169K |
| 1998-06-02 | La Plume, Lackawanna County | F1 3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $543K |
| 1998-05-31 | Old Forge, Lackawanna County | F0 0.1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $181K |
| 1998-05-31 | Elmhurst, Lackawanna County | F0 0.3 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $136K |
| 1992-01-14 | Lackawanna County | F1 0.2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1991-07-23 | Lackawanna County | F1 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Lackawanna County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 11, 2026 flash flood ($5,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-11 | Flash FloodScranton, Lackawanna County | 0 | 0 | $5K | |
| 2026-06-11 | LightningChinchilla, Lackawanna County | 0 | 0 | $75K | |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindGlenburn, Lackawanna County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-04-19 | Frost/FreezeLackawanna County · forecast zone Lackawanna | 0 | 0 | $7.5M | |
| 2026-04-15 | Thunderstorm WindFells Corners, Lackawanna County | 58 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | Thunderstorm WindMoscow, Lackawanna County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-04-15 | Thunderstorm WindDalton, Lackawanna County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-04-15 | Thunderstorm WindWallsville, Lackawanna County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-02-08 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillLackawanna County · forecast zone Lackawanna | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Winter StormLackawanna County · forecast zone Lackawanna | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-13 | Winter WeatherLackawanna County · forecast zone Lackawanna | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-02 | Winter WeatherLackawanna County · forecast zone Lackawanna | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-09-09 | Flash FloodChinchilla, Lackawanna County A man and woman succumbed to flash flooding as they attempted to evacuate their vehicle while stuck in the railroad overpass crossing Shady Lane. Flood waters rapidly filled their vehicle and the woman was swept downstream. The man was also swept away and sustained grave injuries after being slammed into a sign post ... | 2 | 2 | $2.4M | |
| 2001-09-13 | LightningSpringbrook Corners, Lackawanna County Newspaper reports indicate a man was struck and killed by lightning in Spring Brook as he was cutting grass at a little league field during the onset of a thunderstorm. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2023-09-09 | Flash FloodSchultzville, Lackawanna County A single car crash occurred at this location as a result of the rural water crossing being compromised by flash flooding. The bridge gave way beneath the moving vehicle which then crashed into the remnants of the culvert/bridge system. All four occupants of the vehicle were severely injured and rushed to nearby ... | 0 | 4 | $97K | |
| 1996-07-08 | LightningDunmore, Lackawanna County Vivid cloud to ground lightning associated with a thunderstorm struck a highway construction site in Dunmore. Three highway workers sustained minor injuries. | 0 | 3 | – | |
| 2002-05-28 | LightningElmhurst, Lackawanna County Two Jefferson Township municipal workers suffered injuries from a lightning strike to the metal garage they were in. | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2024-07-15 | LightningChilds, Lackawanna County A man was struck by lightning in his home. Other than minor injuries, the man was alright. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2011-07-29 | Thunderstorm WindScranton, Lackawanna County Severe winds associated with a micro-burst struck Scranton in the Memorial Stadium area. Damage occurred to businesses along Providence Road to roofs, siding, windows and signs. Trees were snapped and blown down as it crossed the Lackawanna River and railroad tracks. Some damage occurred to trees and at least one ... | 65 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $13K |
| 2011-02-18 | High WindLackawanna County · forecast zone Lackawanna High winds affected the region with gusts of 50 to 60 mph. Numerous trees were blown down and scattered power outages were reported. A police officer received minor injuries when a tree fell on his vehicle. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $66K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-06-27 | Flash FloodCountywide, Lackawanna County | 0 | 0 | $73M | |
| 1996-01-19 | Flash FloodCountywide, Lackawanna County | 0 | 0 | $37M | |
| 2004-09-18 | Flash FloodCountywide, Lackawanna County | 0 | 0 | $31M | |
| 2023-09-09 | Flash FloodThroop, Lackawanna County | 0 | 0 | $9.7M | |
| 2003-09-03 | Flash FloodCountywide, Lackawanna County | 0 | 0 | $8.0M | |
| 2023-09-09 | Flash FloodChinchilla, Lackawanna County | 2 | 2 | $2.4M | |
| 2023-09-09 | Flash FloodClarks Summit, Lackawanna County | 0 | 0 | $484K | |
| 2014-10-15 | Flash FloodThroop, Lackawanna County | 0 | 0 | $312K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: January 14, 1992 (tornado, Lackawanna County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Lackawanna County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 1 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 33 | 46 | 65 | 87 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 5 | 26 | 23 | 45 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 15 | 40 | 17 | 15 |
| Hail | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 25 | 29 | 6 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 7 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| Lightning | – | – | – | – | 1 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
46% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1958 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 36 · Feb 33 · Mar 25 · Apr 36 · May 76 · Jun 100 · Jul 94 · Aug 63 · Sep 47 · Oct 19 · Nov 26 · Dec 27 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Lackawanna County
FEMA's register lists 22 declarations that include Lackawanna County: 17 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (7) and flood (7).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-30 | DR-4506 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3441 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-11-27 | DR-4408 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2012-10-29 | EM-3356 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2011-09-12 | DR-4030 | Flood | Tropical Storm Lee |
| 2011-09-08 | EM-3340 | Flood | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| 2007-02-23 | DR-1684 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2006-06-30 | DR-1649 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3235 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| 2005-04-14 | DR-1587 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2004-09-19 | DR-1555 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression Frances |
| 2004-09-19 | DR-1557 | Hurricane | Tropical Depression Ivan |
| 2003-08-23 | DR-1485 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 1996-01-21 | DR-1093 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1085 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1994-03-10 | DR-1015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 1993-03-16 | EM-3105 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm |
| 1985-10-08 | DR-745 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gloria |
| 1976-10-20 | DR-523 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1976-07-07 | DR-513 | Flood | High Winds, Flash Floods |
| 1975-09-26 | DR-485 | Flood | Severe Storms, Heavy Rains & Flooding |
| 1972-06-23 | DR-340 | Flood | Tropical Storm Agnes |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Lackawanna County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 99 flood or flash flood records for Lackawanna County from 1996 to 2026, on 54 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Lackawanna County ranks 261st of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Depression Ivan | 2004-09-18 | 2 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $20.5 million on 1,369 claims filed in Lackawanna County; the most in one year was 391 in 1996. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 9 · 1979: 22 · 1980: 3 · 1981: 4 · 1983: 13 · 1984: 4 · 1985: 120 · 1986: 93 · 1987: 4 · 1988: 2 · 1989: 4 · 1990: 2 · 1991: 3 · 1992: 1 · 1993: 4 · 1994: 3 · 1995: 3 · 1996: 391 · 1998: 2 · 1999: 10 · 2001: 2 · 2002: 2 · 2003: 119 · 2004: 218 · 2005: 39 · 2006: 142 · 2007: 3 · 2008: 5 · 2009: 2 · 2010: 11 · 2011: 16 · 2012: 2 · 2013: 12 · 2014: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2016: 7 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 13 · 2019: 3 · 2021: 11 · 2023: 54 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Lackawanna County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lackawanna County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $72.4 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively High | $57M | 1.7 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High | $427K | 14 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively High | $1.1M | 31 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High | $5.9M | 2.9 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $1.6M | 2.5 modeled event-days a year |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate | $2.2M | once in about 25 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $177K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $2.1M | once in about 7 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Lackawanna County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in PennsylvaniaEvery Pennsylvania tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in PennsylvaniaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Pennsylvania recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Lackawanna CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Lackawanna County's FEMA declarations (CSV)22 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis