Less hazard damage per building is expected in Clarks Green than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarks Green gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Clarks Green 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
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 Clarks Green’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarks Green, and Clarks Green’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clarks Green’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $385K a year in losses across Clarks Green: $312K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarks Green flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Clarks Green. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Clarks Green isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lackawanna County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarks Green
Disasters that paid out in Clarks Green itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Clarks Green), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan2 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Lackawanna County has had 18 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 Clarks Green after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarks Green archive →Clarks Green and its neighbors
Clarks Green is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarks Summit | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Waverly Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Clarks Green | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| South Abington Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Clarks Green 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.
- 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 Clarks Green
Is Clarks Green at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarks Green has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Clarks Green 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 Lackawanna County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clarks Green?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarks Green’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 Clarks Green?
By FEMA money that reached Clarks Green, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 9 households applied for aid, $15K approved.
Is Clarks Green at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Clarks Green’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarks Green.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarks Green’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.