Less hazard damage per building is expected in Clifton Township than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clifton Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1985.
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 Clifton 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
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 Clifton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clifton Township, and Clifton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clifton Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $453K a year in losses across Clifton Township: $379K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clifton Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clifton Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gloria1 claim · $424
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $8K
Clifton 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: Lackawanna County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clifton Township
Disasters that paid out in Clifton Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Clifton Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$271 aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
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 Clifton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clifton Township archive →Clifton Township and its neighbors
Clifton Township is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covington Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Clifton Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Coolbaugh Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Thornhurst Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Spring Brook Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lehigh Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Gouldsboro | — | 713 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Big Bass Lake | — | 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 Clifton 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.
- 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 Clifton Township
Is Clifton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clifton Township has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clifton Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Clifton Township since 1985, $9K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Gloria (1).
Is Clifton 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 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 Clifton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clifton 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 Clifton Township?
By FEMA money that reached Clifton Township, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 3 households applied for aid, $5K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Gloria: 1 paid, $424.
Is Clifton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Clifton Township’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clifton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clifton 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.