Photo: Idawriter · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hermitage than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hermitage gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #320 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Hermitage 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 Hermitage’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hermitage, and Hermitage’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
A #320 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hermitage’s residents live in 6 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, Hermitage has less expected damage per building than 69% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Hermitage: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hermitage flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hermitage, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hermitage isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mercer County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Hermitage
Disasters that paid out in Hermitage itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hermitage), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding41 households applied for aid$72K aid approved
Mercer County has had 10 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 Hermitage after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hermitage archive →Hermitage and its neighbors
Hermitage is 3rd of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farrell | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sharpsville | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hermitage | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| South Pymatuning Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sharon | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Lackawannock Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brookfield Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Masury | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Shenango Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clark | — | 585 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 Hermitage 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 Hermitage
Is Hermitage at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hermitage has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #320 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hermitage flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Hermitage since 1978, $47K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Hermitage 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 Mercer County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hermitage?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hermitage’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 Hermitage?
By FEMA money that reached Hermitage, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 41 households applied for aid, $72K approved.
Is Hermitage at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Hermitage’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hermitage.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hermitage’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.