Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Clarion than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarion gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #27 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Clarion 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
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 Clarion’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarion, and Clarion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #27 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Clarion’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Clarion has less expected damage per building than 97% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $733K a year in losses across Clarion: $564K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarion flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clarion, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Clarion isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clarion County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Clarion
Disasters that paid out in Clarion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Clarion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Clarion County has had 11 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 Clarion after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarion archive →Clarion and its neighbors
Clarion 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarion | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Clarion Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Highland Township | — | 526 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Clarion 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Clarion
Is Clarion at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarion has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #27 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (7%). 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 Clarion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Clarion since 1979, $3K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Clarion 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 Clarion County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clarion?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarion’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 Clarion?
By FEMA money that reached Clarion, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 5 households applied for aid, $3K approved.
Is Clarion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Clarion’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarion.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarion’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.