Drought risk in Pennsylvania

Drought risk in Pennsylvania: geography and seasons

Pennsylvania is not normally associated with drought. Its humid continental climate brings fairly regular rainfall across all four seasons. But the state is still rated level 2 (on a 5-level scale) for drought risk by the National Risk Index. That means droughts happen occasionally and can affect certain parts of the state more than others.

Most droughts in Pennsylvania develop in the summer and early fall, when high heat and lower rainfall combine with increased water use from lawns, gardens, and tourism. The western and central parts of the state, including the Appalachian Plateau and valleys, are often the first to see dry conditions because they depend more on groundwater for public water supplies. However, even eastern counties can experience short-term dry spells.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Pennsylvania rarely enters the most severe drought categories, but moderate to severe dry periods have occurred in recent decades. These events are usually short-lived, lasting a few weeks to a few months, but they can stress local water supplies and increase the risk of wildfires in wooded areas.

How it affects homes

For most homeowners in Pennsylvania, drought does not cause direct structural damage like a flood or hurricane. Instead, the impacts are often indirect and build up over time. The most common drought-related problems for homes include:

• Private well failures: If you rely on a well, a drop in the water table can cause the pump to suck air or run dry. Drilling a new well or deepening an existing one is costly.
• Foundation settlement: Dry soil shrinks and pulls away from foundations, especially in clay-rich areas. This can cause cracks in walls, floors, and basement slabs. When rain returns, the soil swells again, which can worsen the damage.
• Landscaping losses: Lawns, gardens, and newly planted trees can die without sufficient water. This affects property value and can cost thousands to replace.
• Increased wildfire risk: Even in the Northeast, drought dries out leaf litter and underbrush, raising the risk of brush fires near homes.

Insurance considerations are important. Standard homeowners insurance policies typically do not cover damage caused by drought, including foundation cracks from soil shrinkage, well failure, or landscaping losses. Flood damage—which can follow a drought when heavy rain hits baked, impermeable ground—is also not covered by standard policies and requires separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency advises homeowners to review their policy limits and talk to an insurance agent about drought-related risks, especially if you live in an area with private wells or clay soils.

How to prepare your home

There are practical steps you can take to reduce drought impact on your property. Follow these mitigation tips:

1. Install a rain barrel to capture roof runoff for watering plants and gardens. This helps during short dry spells and reduces demand on your well or municipal supply.
2. Use water-wise landscaping by planting native, drought-tolerant species that thrive in Pennsylvania's climate. Avoid non-native grasses that need frequent watering.
3. Fix leaks promptly. A dripping faucet or running toilet wastes gallons of water, especially when a drought is already stressing supplies.
4. Maintain your well. Have your well pump checked before summer and monitor water levels. Do not run the well continuously for irrigation.
5. Mulch around plants to slow evaporation and keep soil moisture higher.
6. Adapt your watering schedule—water early in the morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.
7. Protect your foundation by keeping gutters clean and directing downspouts away from the house so that soil moisture remains even during dry spells.
8. Create a defensible space around your home by clearing dry leaves and brush, especially if you live near woodlands.

The EPA WaterSense program offers free resources on how to save water indoors and outdoors. Simple upgrades like high-efficiency toilets and faucet aerators can make a big difference during a drought.

Frequently asked questions

How common are droughts in Pennsylvania?

Droughts are not as frequent or severe in Pennsylvania as in western states, but they do occur. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows that moderate drought affects parts of the state every few years, with more widespread events happening about once a decade. Most are short-lived, but even a few weeks without rain can affect shallow wells and sensitive plants.

Can drought cause structural damage to my home?

Yes, in some cases. If your house sits on clay-rich soil, a prolonged drought can cause the soil to shrink and shift, leading to foundation cracks or settling. This type of damage is typically not covered by standard homeowners insurance. Coastal and mountainous areas of Pennsylvania may be less affected, but any home on shrink-swell soils is at risk.

Does homeowners insurance cover drought damage?

In general, no. Standard homeowners policies exclude damage from drought, including cracked foundations, dead landscaping, and well failure. However, some policies may cover related issues like water damage from a burst pipe if your well runs dry and the pump overheats. Review your policy with your insurer to understand what is and is not covered.

Official resources

• Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)
• U.S. Drought Monitor
• Drought.gov
• EPA WaterSense