Photo: JeffersonHills · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Jefferson Hills than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jefferson Hills gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #499 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 58 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 Jefferson Hills’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Jefferson Hills 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 Jefferson Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jefferson Hills, and Jefferson Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #499 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jefferson Hills’ residents live in 3 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, Jefferson Hills has less expected damage per building than 52% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Jefferson Hills: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jefferson Hills flood? Sometimes: 58 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jefferson Hills, from FEMA’s records: 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $51K
Jefferson Hills 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Jefferson Hills
Disasters that paid out in Jefferson Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Jefferson Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan9 households applied for aid$28K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $51K
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 Jefferson Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jefferson Hills archive →Jefferson Hills and its neighbors
Jefferson Hills is 3rd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hills | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| West Mifflin | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Jefferson Hills | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| South Park Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Union Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Clairton | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Forward Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 160 |
| Elizabeth | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| West Elizabeth | — | 344 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 Jefferson Hills 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 Jefferson Hills
Is Jefferson Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jefferson Hills has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #499 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jefferson Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 58 claims in Jefferson Hills since 1979, $763K in all, or 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (3).
Is Jefferson Hills 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 Jefferson Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jefferson Hills’ 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 Jefferson Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Jefferson Hills, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 9 households applied for aid, $28K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 3 paid, $51K.
Is Jefferson Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Jefferson Hills’ rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jefferson Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jefferson Hills’ 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.