Photo: Turover at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Galena as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galena gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Galena 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
Tornadoes
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 Galena’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Galena, and Galena’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
B− lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Galena’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $329K a year in losses across Galena: $295K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Galena flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Galena. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Galena isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Delaware County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Galena
Disasters that paid out in Galena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Galena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tornadoes132 households applied for aid$161K aid approved
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$10K to the Village of Galena for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$13K to the Village of Galena for repairs
- 2004Snow$1K to the Village of Galena for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Delaware County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Galena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Galena archive →Galena and its neighbors
Galena is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunbury | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Galena | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Galena 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Galena
Is Galena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galena has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Galena 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 Delaware County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Galena?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Galena’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 Galena?
By FEMA money that reached Galena, Tornadoes (2024): 132 households applied for aid, $161K approved.
Is Galena at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Galena’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Galena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Galena’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.