Photo: Dincher · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Jersey Shore’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jersey Shore gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #913 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 212 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 Jersey Shore’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Jersey Shore 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 Jersey Shore’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jersey Shore, and Jersey Shore’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
C #913 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Jersey Shore’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jersey Shore has more expected damage per building than 88% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Jersey Shore: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jersey Shore flood? Yes: 212 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jersey Shore, from FEMA’s records: 136.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan140 claims · $1.4M
- Tropical Storm Lee2 claims · $7K
Jersey Shore is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lycoming County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jersey Shore
Disasters that paid out in Jersey Shore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Jersey Shore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby53 households applied for aid$216K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee10 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan246 households applied for aid$465K aid approved140 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
Lycoming County has had 17 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 Jersey Shore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jersey Shore archive →Jersey Shore and its neighbors
Jersey Shore is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porter Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Jersey Shore | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 212 |
| Nippenose Township | — | 565 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 Jersey Shore 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.
- Jersey Shore residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Jersey Shore
Is Jersey Shore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jersey Shore has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #913 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. 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 Jersey Shore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 212 claims in Jersey Shore since 1979, $1.7M in all, or 136.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 30 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (140).
Is Jersey Shore 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 Lycoming County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jersey Shore?
Jersey Shore is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Jersey Shore?
By FEMA money that reached Jersey Shore, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 246 households applied for aid, $465K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 140 paid, $1.4M.
Is Jersey Shore at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Jersey Shore’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jersey Shore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jersey Shore’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.