Pennsylvania has been included in 23 federal disaster declarations for severe storms, flooding or hurricanes since 2000, most recently Tropical Storm Debby in September 2024 (FEMA DR-4815), and 3 for winter storms and freezing. Most water damage, though, starts inside: a supply line, a water heater, a washing machine hose or a toilet. The table ranks the 9 Pennsylvania cities we cover by population, with each city's score on our Water Damage Risk Index.
| City | Population | Homes built before 1980 | Freezing nights a year | Risk score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 1,574,281 | 83% | 62 | 76/100 |
| Pittsburgh | 307,632 | 83% | 106 | 60/100 |
| Allentown | 126,044 | 82% | 118 | 70/100 |
| Reading | 95,832 | 90% | 107 | 74/100 |
| Erie | 91,838 | 89% | 111 | 61/100 |
| Bethlehem | 79,644 | 80% | 118 | 79/100 |
| Scranton | 75,514 | 88% | 122 | 72/100 |
| Lancaster | 58,366 | 86% | 111 | 73/100 |
| Harrisburg | 50,522 | 85% | 111 | 76/100 |
Sources: Census Bureau population estimates (Vintage 2025) and ACS 2020-2024, NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals, OpenFEMA. Method: editorial policy and data.
Water damage in Pennsylvania?
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Water damage in Pennsylvania: common questions
Which Pennsylvania cities do you cover?
This page lists the 9 Pennsylvania cities we have local pages for. The phone line takes calls from anywhere in Pennsylvania; tell the call taker your ZIP code and you will be connected with a restoration company that serves it, where one is available.
Does homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania cover water damage?
Standard homeowners policies generally cover sudden and accidental water damage such as a burst pipe, and exclude flooding from outside and long-term leaks. Pennsylvania has had 23 federal disaster declarations for storms, floods or hurricanes since 2000, so it is worth checking whether you also need flood insurance.
How much does water damage restoration cost in Pennsylvania?
HomeAdvisor's 2026 national data puts most jobs at $1,383 to $6,369 (average $3,868), or roughly $3.50 to $7.50 per square foot for drying. Local labor costs, the type of water and the materials affected move the final number.