Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Cochranton faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cochranton gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims 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 Cochranton 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 Cochranton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cochranton, and Cochranton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cochranton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $504K a year in losses across Cochranton: $459K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cochranton flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cochranton, from FEMA’s records: 19.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cochranton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crawford County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cochranton
Disasters that paid out in Cochranton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Cochranton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$54K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Crawford County has had 12 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 Cochranton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cochranton archive →Cochranton and its neighbors
Cochranton is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cochranton | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Fairfield Township | — | not graded yet | |
| East Fairfield Township | — | 880 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 Cochranton 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 Cochranton
Is Cochranton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cochranton has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Cochranton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Cochranton since 1979, $29K in all, or 19.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Cochranton 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 Crawford County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cochranton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cochranton’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 Cochranton?
By FEMA money that reached Cochranton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 28 households applied for aid, $54K approved.
Is Cochranton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Cochranton’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cochranton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cochranton’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.