Out of 48 counties with PHMSA gas distribution data, these are the counties with the highest incident risk.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Counties ranked | 48 |
| Total incidents (top 100) | 169 |
| Total fatalities (top 100) | 17 |
Top 48 Counties
| Rank | County | State | Incidents | Fatalities | Latest Year | Risk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allegheny | Pennsylvania | 22 | 1 | 2024 | 11/100 |
| 2 | Butler | Pennsylvania | 22 | 1 | 2024 | 11/100 |
| 3 | Wayne | Pennsylvania | 22 | 1 | 2024 | 11/100 |
| 4 | Washington | Pennsylvania | 22 | 1 | 2024 | 11/100 |
| 5 | Greene | Pennsylvania | 5 | 0 | 2019 | 3/100 |
| 6 | Crawford | Pennsylvania | 5 | 0 | 2019 | 3/100 |
| 7 | Berks | Pennsylvania | 4 | 0 | 2024 | 100/100 |
| 8 | Beaver | Pennsylvania | 4 | 0 | 2024 | 6/100 |
| 9 | Chester | Pennsylvania | 4 | 1 | 2017 | 6/100 |
| 10 | Lackawanna | Pennsylvania | 4 | 1 | 2017 | 6/100 |
| 11 | Delaware | Pennsylvania | 3 | 0 | 2022 | 38/100 |
| 12 | Bucks | Pennsylvania | 3 | 3 | 2025 | 38/100 |
| 13 | Monroe | Pennsylvania | 3 | 5 | 2016 | 23/100 |
| 14 | Lawrence | Pennsylvania | 3 | 0 | 2025 | 6/100 |
| 15 | York | Pennsylvania | 3 | 0 | 2019 | 6/100 |
| 16 | Westmoreland | Pennsylvania | 3 | 0 | 2025 | 2/100 |
| 17 | Armstrong | Pennsylvania | 3 | 0 | 2025 | 2/100 |
| 18 | Dauphin | Pennsylvania | 3 | 0 | 2022 | 2/100 |
| 19 | Lancaster | Pennsylvania | 2 | 0 | 2021 | 100/100 |
| 20 | Lehigh | Pennsylvania | 2 | 0 | 2021 | 38/100 |
| 21 | Montgomery | Pennsylvania | 2 | 0 | 2020 | 38/100 |
| 22 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 2 | 0 | 2020 | 38/100 |
| 23 | Indiana | Pennsylvania | 2 | 0 | 2020 | 7/100 |
| 24 | Cambria | Pennsylvania | 2 | 0 | 2020 | 7/100 |
| 25 | Jefferson | Pennsylvania | 2 | 0 | 2008 | 7/100 |
| 26 | Susquehanna | Pennsylvania | 2 | 1 | 2014 | 5/100 |
| 27 | Tioga | Pennsylvania | 2 | 0 | 2025 | 3/100 |
| 28 | Clarion | Pennsylvania | 2 | 0 | 2008 | 2/100 |
| 29 | Lebanon | Pennsylvania | 2 | 0 | 2021 | 2/100 |
| 30 | Luzerne | Pennsylvania | 1 | 0 | 2017 | 13/100 |
| 31 | Clearfield | Pennsylvania | 1 | 2 | 2004 | 7/100 |
| 32 | Bedford | Pennsylvania | 1 | 0 | 2009 | 6/100 |
| 33 | Northumberland | Pennsylvania | 1 | 0 | 2025 | 2/100 |
| 34 | Erie | Pennsylvania | 1 | 0 | 2020 | 2/100 |
| 35 | Lycoming | Pennsylvania | 1 | 0 | 2018 | 2/100 |
| 36 | Schuylkill | Pennsylvania | 1 | 0 | 2025 | 2/100 |
| 37 | Venango | Pennsylvania | 1 | 0 | 2019 | 1/100 |
| 38 | Blair | Pennsylvania | 1 | 0 | 2013 | 1/100 |
| 39 | Bradford | Pennsylvania | 0 | 0 | — | 23/100 |
| 40 | Carbon | Pennsylvania | 0 | 0 | — | 13/100 |
| 41 | Fayette | Pennsylvania | 0 | 0 | — | 11/100 |
| 42 | Centre | Pennsylvania | 0 | 0 | — | 7/100 |
| 43 | Wyoming | Pennsylvania | 0 | 0 | — | 5/100 |
| 44 | Adams | Pennsylvania | 0 | 0 | — | 4/100 |
| 45 | Somerset | Pennsylvania | 0 | 0 | — | 2/100 |
| 46 | Montour | Pennsylvania | 0 | 0 | — | 2/100 |
| 47 | Cumberland | Pennsylvania | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
| 48 | Columbia | Pennsylvania | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
Methodology
County rankings for Pennsylvania based on total PHMSA gas distribution incidents reported since 2004.
Data source: U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Gas Distribution System Incident Reports 2004-2026. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gas distribution incident?
Gas distribution incidents involve failures in the local natural gas pipeline network — leaks, ruptures, explosions, and equipment failures that can cause property damage, injuries, and fatalities. PHMSA requires all operators to report significant incidents.
How can I protect my home?
Install CO detectors on every level (CPSC recommendation). Have gas appliances inspected annually. Know the signs of a gas leak: rotten egg smell, hissing near gas lines, dead vegetation near pipelines. If you suspect a leak, leave immediately and call 911.