FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Forest City than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest City gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1978.
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 Forest 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 Forest City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forest City, and Forest City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Forest City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $646K a year in losses across Forest City: $550K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forest City flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forest City, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Forest 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: Susquehanna County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forest City
Disasters that paid out in Forest City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Forest City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$629 aid approved
Susquehanna County has had 20 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 Forest City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forest City archive →Forest City and its neighbors
Forest City is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifford Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Clinton Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Forest City | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Vandling | — | 964 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 Forest 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 Forest City
Is Forest City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forest City has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). 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 Forest City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Forest City since 1978, $3K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Forest 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 Susquehanna County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Forest City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forest 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 Forest City?
By FEMA money that reached Forest City, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 8 households applied for aid, $9K approved.
Is Forest City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Forest City’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forest City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forest 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.