Photo: David Fulmer · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Greensburg than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greensburg 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 34 claims 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 stands out about Greensburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Greensburg 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 Greensburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greensburg, and Greensburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 97% 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).
Greensburg’s residents live in 5 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, Greensburg has less expected damage per building than 100% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Greensburg: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greensburg flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greensburg, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Greensburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Westmoreland County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Greensburg
Disasters that paid out in Greensburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Greensburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan20 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
Westmoreland County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Greensburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greensburg archive →Greensburg and its neighbors
Greensburg has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greensburg | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Southwest Greensburg | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Greensburg 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 Greensburg
Is Greensburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greensburg 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%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greensburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Greensburg since 1978, $424K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Greensburg 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 Westmoreland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greensburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greensburg’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 Greensburg?
By FEMA money that reached Greensburg, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 20 households applied for aid, $56K approved.
Is Greensburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Greensburg’s rate for it is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greensburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greensburg’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.