Photo: Dincher · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts East Buffalo Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Buffalo Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #907 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 41 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 East Buffalo 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
Strong wind
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 East Buffalo Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Buffalo Township, and East Buffalo Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #907 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Buffalo Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, East Buffalo Township has more expected damage per building than 87% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across East Buffalo Township: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Buffalo Township flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Buffalo Township, from FEMA’s records: 16.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee10 claims · $269K
- Tropical Storm Ivan8 claims · $175K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $6K
East Buffalo 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: Union County.The storms East Buffalo Township remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for Union County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching East Buffalo Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 201111 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Union County
- 199910 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Dennis Pa, declared for Union County
- 19968 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Union County
Union County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of East Buffalo Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Buffalo Township archive →East Buffalo Township and its neighbors
East Buffalo Township is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Point Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 200 |
| East Buffalo Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Union Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| West Chillisquaque Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 155 |
| Lewisburg | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 287 |
| Linntown | — | 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 East Buffalo 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 East Buffalo Township
Is East Buffalo Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Buffalo Township has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #907 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and strong wind (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Buffalo Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in East Buffalo Township since 1979, $958K in all, or 16.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (10).
Is East Buffalo 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 Union County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Buffalo Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Buffalo 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 East Buffalo Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 10 paid, $269K.
Is East Buffalo Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and East Buffalo Township’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Buffalo Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Buffalo 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.