Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Farrell than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farrell gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #286 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Farrell 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 Farrell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Farrell, and Farrell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
A #286 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Farrell’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, Farrell has less expected damage per building than 72% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $917K a year in losses across Farrell: $831K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Farrell flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Farrell, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Farrell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mercer County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Farrell
Disasters that paid out in Farrell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Farrell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
Mercer County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Farrell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Farrell archive →Farrell and its neighbors
Farrell has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Farrell 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 Farrell
Is Farrell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farrell has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #286 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Farrell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Farrell since 1990, $4K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Farrell 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 Mercer County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Farrell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Farrell’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 Farrell?
By FEMA money that reached Farrell, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 29 households applied for aid, $53K approved.
Is Farrell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Farrell’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Farrell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Farrell’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.