Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Athens’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Athens gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #999 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 72 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Athens’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Athens 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
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 Athens’ grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Athens, and Athens’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #999 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Athens’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Athens has more expected damage per building than 96% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Athens: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Athens flood? Sometimes: 72 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Athens, from FEMA’s records: 40.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee58 claims · $6.4M
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $3K
Athens isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bradford County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Athens
Disasters that paid out in Athens itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Athens), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee540 households applied for aid$4.5M aid approved58 flood claims paid for it, $6.4M
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides15 households applied for aid$22K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$27K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan5 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Bradford County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Athens after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Athens archive →Athens and its neighbors
Athens is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sayre | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Athens Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 117 |
| Athens | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Greens Landing | — | 593 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Athens 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.
- 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 Athens
Is Athens at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Athens has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #999 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). 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 Athens flood?
Flood insurance has paid 72 claims in Athens since 1979, $6.5M in all, or 40.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (58).
Is Athens 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 Bradford County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Athens?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Athens’ 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 Athens?
By FEMA money that reached Athens, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 540 households applied for aid, $4.5M approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 58 paid, $6.4M.
Is Athens at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Athens’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Athens.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Athens’ 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.