Photo: Canadian2006 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Delmont than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Delmont gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #30 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Delmont 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 Delmont’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Delmont, and Delmont’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #30 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Delmont’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Delmont has less expected damage per building than 97% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $262K a year in losses across Delmont: $220K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Delmont flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Delmont, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Delmont isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Westmoreland County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Delmont
Disasters that paid out in Delmont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Delmont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Westmoreland County has had 17 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 Delmont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Delmont archive →Delmont and its neighbors
Delmont has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delmont | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Salem Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Murrysville | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
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 Delmont 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 Delmont
Is Delmont at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Delmont has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #30 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). 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 Delmont flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Delmont since 1981, $24K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Delmont 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 Westmoreland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Delmont?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Delmont’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 Delmont?
By FEMA money that reached Delmont, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 2 households applied for aid, $1K approved.
Is Delmont at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Delmont’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Delmont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Delmont’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.