Pennsylvania Seeks Legislative and Insurance Reforms Amid Rising Inland Flood Risks
Recent flash flooding events in Pennsylvania, particularly in Lycoming County and the small community of Glen Mawr, have highlighted ongoing flood risk challenges for homeowners, local governments, and the insurance industry. Glen Mawr saw rapid water level rises leading to mandatory evacuations but no reported injuries. These flash floods mirror severe incidents elsewhere, such as the July 4th Guadalupe River flood in Texas, which resulted in significant fatalities. Such events underscore the increasing intensity and frequency of inland flooding potentially linked to shifting weather patterns.
Local officials acknowledge that flooding hazards are evolving, with isolated thunderstorms delivering heavy rainfall in concentrated bursts, causing swift and severe river and creek level surges. This trend prompts concerns about emergency response capabilities and flood preparedness, complicated by previous federal budget cuts to FEMA, which have been linked to slowed disaster responses.
The heightened awareness of flood risks is driving legislative activity in Pennsylvania, including bills focused on improving flood risk transparency in home sales. Representative Perry Warren introduced a bill requiring home sellers to disclose histories of flooding near properties and any flood insurance obligations. This initiative aims to increase homeowner awareness that standard homeowner policies exclude flood coverage, which is often purchased separately through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers.
Warren’s district experienced a localized flash flood in 2023 that caused multiple fatalities and highlighted how flood impacts can vary over short distances. Warren and Senator Steven Santarsiero co-created the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force following 2023 legislation to explore flood insurance enhancements. Proposed measures include state income tax deductions for flood insurance premiums, credits for mitigation efforts, earlier seller disclosures, and flood risk education for insurance professionals.
Other state lawmakers have pursued additional disaster-related protections, such as legislation targeting landslide risks correlated with heavy rainfall and flooding. Meanwhile, emergency management coordinators report that much local residential development is situated on flood plains or special flood hazard areas, increasing vulnerability. FEMA maps denote areas like Glen Mawr as below the 100-year flood level, which still entails a measurable annual chance of flooding.
Flood insurance claims in Lycoming County consistently rank among the highest in Pennsylvania and have cost NFIP over $57 million since 1980, primarily linked to storm surge and hurricane years. NFIP mandates flood insurance for homes in designated flood zones when backed by government mortgages. Program data show Lycoming has above-average policyholder counts and premiums relative to the state average.
Rising flood insurance costs present affordability challenges, especially for fixed-income and elderly residents, causing concerns about maintaining homeownership post-flood. Recovery from flood events can take years, with or without insurance, involving extensive property repairs, mold remediation, and navigating permit requirements.
In response to recent floods and ongoing risk, local authorities are beginning flood mitigation efforts such as recertifying the Williamsport area levee, Pennsylvania’s second largest flood control system, which FEMA identified as problematic since 2005. These mitigation efforts reflect wider political momentum to address flood risk comprehensively across the state.
The National Flood Insurance Program, extended through September 30, 2025, remains a critical mechanism for flood risk management and real estate stability, as lapses in this federal program have previously caused disruption to property transactions.
Increasingly severe inland flooding events emphasize the importance of coordinated regulatory, insurance, and local government actions to manage risk, support recovery, and enhance resiliency for vulnerable communities and homeowners across Pennsylvania and beyond.