Photo: Georgie lennon8705 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Clearfield faces more hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clearfield gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #1,018 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 29 claims here since 1978.
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 Clearfield 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 Clearfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clearfield, and Clearfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #1,018 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clearfield’s residents live in 2 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, Clearfield has more expected damage per building than 98% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Clearfield: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clearfield flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clearfield, from FEMA’s records: 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan6 claims · $26K
Clearfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clearfield County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Clearfield
Disasters that paid out in Clearfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Clearfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan76 households applied for aid$119K aid approved6 flood claims paid for it, $26K
Clearfield County has had 14 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 Clearfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clearfield archive →Clearfield and its neighbors
Clearfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearfield | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Plymptonville | — | 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 Clearfield 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 Clearfield
Is Clearfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clearfield has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #1,018 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clearfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Clearfield since 1978, $73K in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (6).
Is Clearfield 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 Clearfield County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clearfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clearfield’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 Clearfield?
By FEMA money that reached Clearfield, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 76 households applied for aid, $119K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 6 paid, $26K.
Is Clearfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Clearfield’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clearfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clearfield’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.