Photo: Generic1139 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Green Tree, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Green Tree gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1999.
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 Green Tree 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Green Tree’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Green Tree, and Green Tree’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 7% (lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #1 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Green Tree’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Green Tree has less expected damage per building than 100% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $850K a year in losses across Green Tree: $648K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Green Tree flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Green Tree, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $23K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $5K
Green Tree 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.The storms Green Tree remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Allegheny County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Green Tree itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20042 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Allegheny County
- 19991 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20001 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 Green Tree after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Green Tree archive →Green Tree and its neighbors
Green Tree has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Tree | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Scott Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 218 |
| Pittsburgh | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 447 |
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 Green Tree 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Green Tree
Is Green Tree at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Green Tree has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (7%). 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 Green Tree flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Green Tree since 1999, $59K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Green Tree 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 Green Tree?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Green Tree’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 Green Tree?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $23K.
Is Green Tree at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Green Tree’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Green Tree.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Green Tree’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.