Davis Island Lock and Dam Site · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Avalon faces more hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Avalon gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #851 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2024.
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 Avalon 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 Avalon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Avalon, and Avalon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #851 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Avalon’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Avalon has more expected damage per building than 82% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Avalon: $945K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Avalon flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Avalon, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $7K
Avalon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegheny County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Avalon
Disasters that paid out in Avalon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Avalon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$921 aid approved
Allegheny County has had 15 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 Avalon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Avalon archive →Avalon and its neighbors
Avalon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Avon | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bellevue | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Avalon | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Kilbuck Township | — | 704 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 Avalon 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 Avalon
Is Avalon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Avalon has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #851 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Avalon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Avalon since 2024, $7K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Debby (1).
Is Avalon 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 Allegheny County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Avalon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Avalon’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 Avalon?
By FEMA money that reached Avalon, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $921 approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Debby: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Avalon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Avalon’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Avalon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Avalon’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.