Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in East Stroudsburg than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Stroudsburg gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #411 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2005.
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 Stroudsburg 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
Hurricanes
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 Stroudsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Stroudsburg, and East Stroudsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #411 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Stroudsburg’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 Stroudsburg has less expected damage per building than 60% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across East Stroudsburg: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Stroudsburg flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Stroudsburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
East Stroudsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Stroudsburg
Disasters that paid out in East Stroudsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of East Stroudsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee16 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene164 households applied for aid$202K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides108 households applied for aid$342K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding119 households applied for aid$98K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan84 households applied for aid$322K aid approved
Monroe County has had 15 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 Stroudsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Stroudsburg archive →East Stroudsburg and its neighbors
East Stroudsburg has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Stroudsburg | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Stroud Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Smithfield Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 162 |
| Stroudsburg | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Arlington Heights | — | 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 Stroudsburg 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Stroudsburg
Is East Stroudsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Stroudsburg has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #411 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Stroudsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in East Stroudsburg since 2005, $6K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is East Stroudsburg 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 Monroe County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Stroudsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Stroudsburg’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 Stroudsburg?
By FEMA money that reached East Stroudsburg, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 108 households applied for aid, $342K approved.
Is East Stroudsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and East Stroudsburg’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Stroudsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Stroudsburg’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.