Photo: Generic1139 · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Glassport’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glassport gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #1,035 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (99%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1985.
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 Glassport 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 Glassport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 99% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glassport, and Glassport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #1,035 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glassport’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, Glassport has more expected damage per building than 100% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Glassport: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glassport flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Glassport, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Glassport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegheny County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Glassport
Disasters that paid out in Glassport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Glassport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Allegheny County has had 15 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 Glassport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glassport archive →Glassport and its neighbors
Glassport is 7th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Mifflin | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Liberty | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clairton | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| McKeesport | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Port Vue | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Dravosburg | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Glassport | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Lincoln | — | 922 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 Glassport 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 Glassport
Is Glassport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glassport has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #1,035 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (99%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Glassport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Glassport since 1985, $25K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Glassport 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 Allegheny County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Glassport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glassport’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 Glassport?
By FEMA money that reached Glassport, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 2 households applied for aid, $4K approved.
Is Glassport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (99%), and Glassport’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glassport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glassport’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.