Climate Risk Summary

Zip Code 15234, Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in Castle Shannon, PA (15234) are Inland Flooding, Cold Wave, and Earthquake.

Understanding the Dollars

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) is a statistical average of property damage for this entire zip code over a standard year across all properties.

  • / It represents the "average cost" rather than a guaranteed yearly bill.
  • / It can be used to compare the relative risk from different hazards and across different neighborhoods.

Primary Risks

Inland Flooding

$1,623,194

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 15234

28.2Score

Relatively Low compared to US average

15234
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Cold Wave

$308,438

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 15234

58.9Score

Relatively Moderate compared to US average

15234
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Earthquake

$79,557

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 15234

39.0Score

Relatively Low compared to US average

15234
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Zip Code Risk Map

Legend
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme

Financial Risk Inventory

MAJOR DRIVER
Inland Flooding
$1,623,194
Score: 28.2
MAJOR DRIVER
Cold Wave
$308,438
Score: 58.9
MAJOR DRIVER
Earthquake
$79,557
Score: 39.0
Tornado
$59,134
Score: 26.7
Heat Wave
$52,287
Score: 17.4
Strong Wind
$29,618
Score: 28.8
Ice Storm
$20,367
Score: 49.5
Lightning
$15,799
Score: 22.3
Hurricane
$8,558
Score: 39.7
Winter Weather
$4,716
Score: 33.9
Hail
$1,026
Score: 6.6
Wildfire
$505
Score: 41.1
Landslide
$161
Score: 73.4

Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Recommended investments to protect your property value and reduce insurance liability based on your local risk profile.

💧Medium Investment

Inland Flooding Mitigation

Install a smart sump pump with battery backup and extend downspouts 10ft from foundation.

Risk Score: 28.2
🏠Low Investment

Cold Wave Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 58.9
🏠Low Investment

Earthquake Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 39.0

Methodology and Sources

Spatial Aggregation

Our "Atlas" risk scores are derived using a population-weighted spatial join. Because US Zip Codes and Census Tracts do not share perfectly aligned boundaries, a simple geographic average would be misleading. We utilize US Census Block Group population statistics to identify where residents actually live within a Zip Code. We then intersect these points with FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) hazard data to calculate a weighted exposure score.

Financial Projections (EAL)

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) estimates the average economic impact of natural hazards in dollars per year. This calculation incorporates three components: Exposure (the value of structures and agriculture), Annualized Frequency (historical probability), and Historic Loss Ratio (vulnerability of the area).

Primary Data Sources

  • FEMA National Risk IndexHazard frequency and loss data (v1.20.0)
  • U.S. Census BureauTIGER/Line 2025 Shapefiles & Decennial Population

Nearby Locations

Zip Code 15228Zip Code 15236Zip Code 15226Zip Code 15102Zip Code 15227Zip Code 15216