Photo: Mvincec. Original uploader was Mvincec at en.wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Butler faces more hazard damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Butler gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #840 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 95 claims here since 1981.
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 stands out about Butler’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Butler 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 Butler’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Butler, and Butler’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #840 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Butler’s residents live in 5 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, Butler has more expected damage per building than 81% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Butler: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Butler flood? Sometimes: 95 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Butler, from FEMA’s records: 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan19 claims · $221K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $4K
Butler isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butler County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Butler
Disasters that paid out in Butler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Butler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan135 households applied for aid$262K aid approved19 flood claims paid for it, $221K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances21 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Butler County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Butler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Butler archive →Butler and its neighbors
Butler has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 95 |
| Homeacre-Lyndora | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Meadowood | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Butler 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 Butler
Is Butler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Butler has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #840 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Butler flood?
Flood insurance has paid 95 claims in Butler since 1981, $794K in all, or 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (19).
Is Butler 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 Butler County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Butler?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Butler’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 Butler?
By FEMA money that reached Butler, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 135 households applied for aid, $262K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 19 paid, $221K.
Is Butler at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Butler’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Butler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Butler’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.