Overview
Pennsylvania's top three threats are flood, fire, and winter storms. Read on to learn what other emergencies are most likely in our commonwealth.
1. Flood
Floods can happen anywhere and anytime, and they can come on quickly and without warning.
2. Fire
Pennsylvania regularly leads the nation in structure fires. More people die in home fires than in any other location.
3. Winter Storms
The National Weather Service calls winter storms "deceptive killers," because most threats are indirectly related to the storm. Here's what to know.
4. Severe Storms
Severe storms can cause flash flooding, lightning, tornadoes, strong winds, and hail. Simple steps can protect us from danger.
5. Flu and Pandemic
As we learned during Covid, pandemics can cause mass illness and upset day-to-day life. Let's prepare the best we can.
6. Hazardous Materials
We are at risk when chemicals are used unsafely or released in harmful amounts where we live, work or play.
7. Earthquakes and Landslides
An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can cause landslides.
8. Nuclear Threats
Residents living within a 10-mile radius of Pennsylvania's three active nuclear power plants should be aware of evacuation routes and have emergency plans in place, just in case.
9. Dam Failures
Dam failures can cause huge amounts of water to rush downstream with destructive force.
10. Attacks in Public Places
We do everything we can to prevent attacks in public places. But if one does occur, here's what to know.