Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Burgettstown than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burgettstown gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Burgettstown 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 Burgettstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burgettstown, and Burgettstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Burgettstown’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $872K a year in losses across Burgettstown: $850K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burgettstown flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burgettstown, from FEMA’s records: 19.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida6 claims · $191K
- Tropical Storm Ivan5 claims · $237K
Burgettstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burgettstown
Disasters that paid out in Burgettstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Burgettstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan76 households applied for aid$254K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $237K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances5 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
Washington County has had 11 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 Burgettstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burgettstown archive →Get ready for what Burgettstown 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 Burgettstown
Is Burgettstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burgettstown has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). 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 Burgettstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Burgettstown since 1979, $497K in all, or 19.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (6).
Is Burgettstown 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 Washington County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burgettstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burgettstown’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 Burgettstown?
By FEMA money that reached Burgettstown, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 76 households applied for aid, $254K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 6 paid, $191K.
Is Burgettstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Burgettstown’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burgettstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burgettstown’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.