Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Canton than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Canton 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 Canton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canton, and Canton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Canton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $907K a year in losses across Canton: $813K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canton, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $109K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $29K
Canton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bradford County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Canton
Disasters that paid out in Canton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Canton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee40 households applied for aid$137K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $29K
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $109K
Bradford County has had 17 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 Canton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canton archive →Get ready for what Canton 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 Canton
Is Canton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canton has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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 Canton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Canton since 1979, $138K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Canton 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 Bradford County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Canton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canton’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 Canton?
By FEMA money that reached Canton, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 40 households applied for aid, $137K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $109K.
Is Canton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Canton’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canton’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.