Storms, floods and disasters in Central City
Central City isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Central City yet. Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1979.
What Central City 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.
Does Central City flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Central City, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $10K
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $469
Central City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Somerset County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Central City
Disasters that paid out in Central City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Central City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Somerset County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Central City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Central City archive →Get ready for what Central City 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 Central City
Does Central City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Central City since 1979, $15K in all. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is Central City 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 Somerset County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Central City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Central City’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 Central City?
By FEMA money that reached Central City, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $3K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $10K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Central City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Central City’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.