Photo: UMVUR1972 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Homer City than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Homer City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Homer City 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 Homer City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Homer City, and Homer City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Homer City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $620K a year in losses across Homer City: $565K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Homer City flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Homer City, from FEMA’s records: 18.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $594
Homer City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Indiana County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Homer City
Disasters that paid out in Homer City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Homer City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan18 households applied for aid$34K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $594
Indiana County has had 15 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 Homer City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Homer City archive →Homer City and its neighbors
Homer City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homer City | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Lucerne Mines | — | 615 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 Homer City 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 Homer City
Is Homer City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Homer City has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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 Homer City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Homer City since 1978, $18K in all, or 18.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Homer City 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 Indiana County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Homer City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Homer City’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 Homer City?
By FEMA money that reached Homer City, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 18 households applied for aid, $34K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $594.
Is Homer City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Homer City’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Homer City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Homer City’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.