Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Hallstead than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hallstead gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1979.
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 Hallstead’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hallstead 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 Hallstead’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hallstead, and Hallstead’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hallstead’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $737K a year in losses across Hallstead: $633K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hallstead flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hallstead, from FEMA’s records: 40.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee12 claims · $686K
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $4K
Hallstead 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 Hallstead
Disasters that paid out in Hallstead itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Hallstead), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee110 households applied for aid$222K aid approved12 flood claims paid for it, $686K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides291 households applied for aid$870K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan44 households applied for aid$111K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
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 Hallstead after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hallstead archive →Get ready for what Hallstead 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 Hallstead
Is Hallstead at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hallstead has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Hallstead flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Hallstead since 1979, $922K in all, or 40.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (12).
Is Hallstead 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 Hallstead?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hallstead’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 Hallstead?
By FEMA money that reached Hallstead, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 291 households applied for aid, $870K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 12 paid, $686K.
Is Hallstead at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Hallstead’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hallstead.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hallstead’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.