Photo: VitaleBaby (Uploads) · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Kane, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kane gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #38 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Kane 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
Tornadoes
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 Kane’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kane, and Kane’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 5% (lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #38 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kane’s residents live in 2 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, Kane has less expected damage per building than 96% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $604K a year in losses across Kane: $447K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kane flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Kane. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Kane isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McKean County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Kane
Disasters that paid out in Kane itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Kane), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
McKean 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 Kane after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kane archive →Get ready for what Kane 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Kane
Is Kane at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kane has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #38 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Kane 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 McKean County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kane?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kane’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 Kane?
By FEMA money that reached Kane, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 5 households applied for aid, $8K approved.
Is Kane at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Kane’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kane.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kane’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.