Coudersport and Port Allegany Railroad Station · Photo: Brian M. Powell (user Bitmapped on en.wikipedia) · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Coudersport than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coudersport gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1981.
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 Coudersport 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 Coudersport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Coudersport, and Coudersport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Coudersport’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Coudersport: $935K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Coudersport flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Coudersport, from FEMA’s records: 14.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Debby3 claims · $42K
Coudersport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Potter County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Coudersport
Disasters that paid out in Coudersport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Coudersport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby20 households applied for aid$100K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $42K
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan3 households applied for aid$614 aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
Potter County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Coudersport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Coudersport archive →Get ready for what Coudersport 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 Coudersport
Is Coudersport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coudersport has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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 Coudersport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Coudersport since 1981, $154K in all, or 14.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Debby (3).
Is Coudersport 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 Potter County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Coudersport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Coudersport’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 Coudersport?
By FEMA money that reached Coudersport, Tropical Storm Debby (2024): 20 households applied for aid, $100K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Debby: 3 paid, $42K.
Is Coudersport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Coudersport’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Coudersport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Coudersport’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.