Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Clymer as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clymer gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1996.
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 Clymer 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 Clymer’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clymer, and Clymer’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Clymer’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $394K a year in losses across Clymer: $344K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clymer flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clymer, from FEMA’s records: 28.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $32K
- Hurricane Debby2 claims · $91K
Clymer isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Indiana County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Clymer
Disasters that paid out in Clymer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Clymer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan16 households applied for aid$42K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $32K
Indiana County has had 15 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 Clymer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clymer archive →Get ready for what Clymer 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 Clymer
Is Clymer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clymer has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Clymer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Clymer since 1996, $271K in all, or 28.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (4).
Is Clymer 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 Indiana County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clymer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clymer’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 Clymer?
By FEMA money that reached Clymer, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 16 households applied for aid, $42K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 4 paid, $32K.
Is Clymer at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Clymer’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clymer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clymer’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.