Photo: Lee Paxton · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Canonsburg than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canonsburg gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #646 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1980.
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 Canonsburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Canonsburg 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 Canonsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canonsburg, and Canonsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
B #646 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Canonsburg’s 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, Canonsburg has more expected damage per building than 62% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Canonsburg: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canonsburg flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canonsburg, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $93K
Canonsburg 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 Canonsburg
Disasters that paid out in Canonsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Canonsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan88 households applied for aid$256K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $93K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances13 households applied for aid$43K 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 Canonsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canonsburg archive →Canonsburg and its neighbors
Canonsburg is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Strabane Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Cecil Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Chartiers Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Canonsburg | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Houston | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| Strabane | — | 605 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Southpointe | — | 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 Canonsburg 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 Canonsburg
Is Canonsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canonsburg has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #646 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Canonsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Canonsburg since 1980, $114K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (3).
Is Canonsburg 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 Canonsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canonsburg’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 Canonsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Canonsburg, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 88 households applied for aid, $256K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 3 paid, $93K.
Is Canonsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Canonsburg’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canonsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canonsburg’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.