Modern Hotel · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Whitehall than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitehall gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Whitehall faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Wildfire
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Whitehall’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Whitehall, and Whitehall’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 8%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Whitehall’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $816K a year in losses across Whitehall: $581K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Whitehall flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Whitehall, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Whitehall isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Whitehall
Disasters that paid out in Whitehall itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Whitehall), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$334 aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Jefferson County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jefferson County, 2000–2012.
Old photos of Whitehall after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Whitehall archive →Get ready for what Whitehall faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Whitehall
Is Whitehall at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitehall has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and earthquakes (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Whitehall flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Whitehall since 2011, $5K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Whitehall in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Jefferson County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Whitehall?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Whitehall’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Whitehall?
By FEMA money that reached Whitehall, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 4 households applied for aid, $334 approved.
Is Whitehall at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Whitehall’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Whitehall.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Whitehall’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.