Berks County, Pennsylvania Hazard Report | Natural Catastrophe And Climate Risk

HazardDB

Hazard Score

159 Catastrophes Recorded

Historical_Hail

120

Historical_Tornadoes

Historical_Hurricanes

Historical_Floods

Historical_Wind

252

Historical_Earthquakes

Historical_Wildfires

Berks County, Pennsylvania

24 Cities with a Population of 426,258, and 154,356 Households

Berks, Pennsylvania faces a relatively moderate risk of natural disasters and climate-related events. The area experiences a mix of hazards including hail, thunderstorms, and flooding. These events have historically led to economic losses and disruptions to the local community. The region's vulnerability to these hazards is reflected in the risk rating, which indicates a need for preparedness and resilience measures to mitigate potential impacts.

Berks County is not located near coastlines or fault lines, but it does have diverse geological features such as mountain peaks and water bodies that can contribute to hazard risk. The presence of these features can amplify the impacts of natural disasters, making the region more susceptible to events like flooding and landslides. The area's topography plays a significant role in shaping its vulnerability to climate-related risks, highlighting the importance of considering these factors in risk assessment and planning efforts.

To address the identified risks, stakeholders in Berks, Pennsylvania should prioritize disaster preparedness and risk reduction strategies. By leveraging historical data on past events and understanding the specific climate factors affecting the region, targeted interventions can be implemented to enhance community resilience. Collaborative efforts involving local authorities, emergency management agencies, and residents are essential to effectively manage and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters in Berks County.

Wildfire Risk: Very Low

Tornado Risk: Low

Hurricane Risk: Very Low

Hail Risk: Low

Flood Risk: Moderate

Tsunami Risk: Very Low

Earthquake Risk: Low

Wind Risk: Moderate

HAZARDS

43

Power Transmission Lines

0

Coastlines

31

Water Bodies

0

Fault Lines

EMERGENCY SERVICES

144

Hazard Shelters

81

Fire Stations

7

Hospitals

42

Police Stations

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Berks County, located in Pennsylvania, has a population of 426,258 people with a population density of 492.4 per square mile. The county has a diverse demographic makeup with 80.3% White, 4.7% Black, 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.3% Asian, and 15.8% Hispanic residents. The median age in Berks County is 39 years, with a slightly higher percentage of females (49.2%) compared to males (47.3%). The county has a household average size of 2.59, with 34.6% of households being married with children, 30.5% married without children, 2.9% male-headed households with children, and 8.1% female-headed households with children. The county has a total of 164,827 housing units, with 63.3% owner-occupied and 26.5% renter-occupied. In terms of agriculture, Berks County has 1,809 farms with an average size of 124 acres, covering a total of 184,514 crop acres with an average sales value of $306,609.

Compared to other counties in Pennsylvania, Berks County ranks among the top in terms of population size, population density, and diversity. The county has a higher population than the state average, which was 12,702,379 in 2020 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Berks County also has a higher population density compared to the state average of 286.1 per square mile. In terms of demographics, the percentage of White and Hispanic residents in Berks County is higher than the state average of 79.3% and 7.3% respectively, while the percentage of Black residents is slightly lower than the state average of 12.1%. Additionally, Berks County's median age of 39 is slightly higher than the state median age of 40.6. The county's housing characteristics and agricultural sector also contribute to its unique profile within the state.

Regions

CLIMATE OVERVIEW

Average Temperature

11 °F Cold

Average Precipitation

1246 mm Moderately High

Average Humidity

79% Moderately High

Plant Hardiness

2011-08-27

Hailstorm

2011-05-19

Hailstorm

2011-05-19

Flooding

Heavy Rain And Snow

Flooding

Heavy Rain Snowmelt Dam B

Hailstorm

2006-06-01

Hailstorm

2005-06-06

Flooding

Heavy Rain

1998-05-11

Tornado

1998-03-09

Flooding

Tropical Cyclone

1998-02-03

Flooding

Tropical Cyclone

1996-09-05

Hailstorm

1996-06-14

Flooding

Snowmelt

Heavy Rain

1991-08-10

Hailstorm

1989-07-26

Hailstorm

1988-07-26

Flooding