Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Beaver than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beaver gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #640 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1978.
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 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beaver, and Beaver’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
B #640 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beaver’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, Beaver has more expected damage per building than 62% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Beaver: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beaver flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beaver, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Beaver 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
Disasters that paid out in Beaver itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Beaver), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan20 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances5 households applied for aid$5K 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beaver archive →Beaver and its neighbors
Beaver 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Vanport Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Beaver | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bridgewater | — | 789 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Potter Township | — | 519 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 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
Is Beaver at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beaver has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #640 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 flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Beaver since 1978, $1K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Beaver 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beaver’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 Beaver?
By FEMA money that reached Beaver, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 20 households applied for aid, $58K approved.
Is Beaver at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Beaver’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beaver.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beaver’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.