Photo: Mvincec · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Beaver Falls faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beaver Falls gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #669 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Beaver Falls 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 Beaver Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beaver Falls, and Beaver Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
B #669 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beaver Falls’ residents live in 3 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, Beaver Falls has more expected damage per building than 64% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Beaver Falls: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beaver Falls flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beaver Falls, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Beaver Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Beaver County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beaver Falls
Disasters that paid out in Beaver Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Beaver Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan23 households applied for aid$66K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances17 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
Beaver 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 Beaver Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beaver Falls archive →Beaver Falls and its neighbors
Beaver Falls is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Mayfield | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| White Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Big Beaver | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Daugherty Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Beaver Falls | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| North Sewickley Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 127 |
| New Brighton | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Eastvale | — | 151 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 Beaver Falls 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 Beaver Falls
Is Beaver Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beaver Falls has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #669 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beaver Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Beaver Falls since 1979, $6K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Beaver Falls 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 Beaver County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Beaver Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beaver Falls’ 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 Beaver Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Beaver Falls, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 23 households applied for aid, $66K approved.
Is Beaver Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Beaver Falls’ rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beaver Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beaver Falls’ 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.