Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, East Franklin Township faces more hazard damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Franklin Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #857 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 East Franklin 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
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 Franklin Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Franklin Township, and East Franklin Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #857 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of East Franklin Township’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, East Franklin Township has more expected damage per building than 83% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across East Franklin Township: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Franklin Township flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Franklin Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $62K
East Franklin 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: Armstrong County.The storms East Franklin Township remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for Armstrong County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching East Franklin Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20044 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Armstrong County
- 19962 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Armstrong County
- 20031 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Armstrong 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 Franklin Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Franklin Township archive →East Franklin Township and its neighbors
East Franklin Township is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Buffalo Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| West Franklin Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| West Kittanning | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East Franklin Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Rayburn Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Manor Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Kittanning | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| West Hills | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Boggs Township | — | 868 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Washington Township | — | 703 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 East Franklin 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.
- 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 Franklin Township
Is East Franklin Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Franklin Township has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #857 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). 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 East Franklin Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in East Franklin Township since 1996, $84K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (4).
Is East Franklin 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 Armstrong County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Franklin Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Franklin 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 Franklin Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 4 paid, $62K.
Is East Franklin Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and East Franklin Township’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Franklin Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Franklin 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.