Photo: Tim Engleman · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Ellwood City than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellwood City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #847 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1990.
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 stands out about Ellwood City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ellwood City 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 Ellwood City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ellwood City, and Ellwood City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #847 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ellwood City’s residents live in 4 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, Ellwood City has more expected damage per building than 82% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Ellwood City: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ellwood City flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ellwood City, from FEMA’s records: 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan8 claims · $459K
Ellwood City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ellwood City
Disasters that paid out in Ellwood City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Ellwood City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan151 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $459K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances43 households applied for aid$135K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Lawrence County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Ellwood City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ellwood City archive →Ellwood City and its neighbors
Ellwood City is 2nd of the 3 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 Sewickley Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 127 |
| Ellwood City | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Wayne Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Frisco | — | 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 Ellwood City 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 Ellwood City
Is Ellwood City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellwood City has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #847 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ellwood City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Ellwood City since 1990, $855K in all, or 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (8).
Is Ellwood City 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 Lawrence County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ellwood City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ellwood City’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 Ellwood City?
By FEMA money that reached Ellwood City, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 151 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 8 paid, $459K.
Is Ellwood City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Ellwood City’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ellwood City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ellwood City’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.