Stephenson-Campbell House · Photo: Generic1139 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Cecil Township than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cecil Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #227 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 40 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 Cecil Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cecil 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
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 Cecil Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cecil Township, and Cecil Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
A #227 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cecil Township’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, Cecil Township has less expected damage per building than 78% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Cecil Township: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cecil Township flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cecil Township, from FEMA’s records: 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan17 claims · $429K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $178K
Cecil 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: Washington County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cecil Township
Disasters that paid out in Cecil Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cecil Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan21 households applied for aid$33K aid approved17 flood claims paid for it, $429K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances1 households applied for aid$1K 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 Cecil Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cecil Township archive →Cecil Township and its neighbors
Cecil Township is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peters Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| 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 |
| Robinson Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Canonsburg | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| McDonald | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Muse | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Lawrence | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Southpointe | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Thompsonville | — | 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 Cecil 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.
- 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 Cecil Township
Is Cecil Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cecil Township has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #227 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cecil Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Cecil Township since 1980, $1.5M in all, or 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (17).
Is Cecil 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 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 Cecil Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cecil 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 Cecil Township?
By FEMA money that reached Cecil Township, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 21 households applied for aid, $33K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 17 paid, $429K.
Is Cecil Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Cecil Township’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cecil Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cecil 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.