Brockerhoff Mill · Photo: Pubdog · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Benner Township, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benner Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #8 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Benner Township 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
Hurricanes
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 Benner Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Benner Township, and Benner Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #8 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Benner Township’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, Benner Township has less expected damage per building than 99% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $813K a year in losses across Benner Township: $631K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Benner Township flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Benner Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $890
Benner Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Centre County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Benner Township
Disasters that paid out in Benner Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Benner Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$1.8M to Benner Township for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$3K to Benner Township for repairs
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$22K to Benner Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $890
- 2003Snow$2K to Benner Township for repairs
- 2003Snow$2K to Benner Township for repairs
Centre County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Benner Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Benner Township archive →Benner Township and its neighbors
Benner Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benner Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Patton Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| College Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Spring Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Harris Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Potter Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Union Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Benner Township 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Benner Township
Is Benner Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benner Township has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #8 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Benner Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Benner Township since 1979, $9K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Benner Township 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 Centre County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Benner Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Benner Township’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 Benner Township?
By FEMA money that reached Benner Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): $1.8M to Benner Township for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $890.
Is Benner Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Benner Township’s rate for it is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Benner Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Benner Township’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.