Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Lewisburg than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewisburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #955 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 287 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 Lewisburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lewisburg 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
Strong wind
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 Lewisburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lewisburg, and Lewisburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #955 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lewisburg’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, Lewisburg has more expected damage per building than 92% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Lewisburg: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lewisburg flood? Yes: 287 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lewisburg, from FEMA’s records: 145.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee70 claims · $848K
- Tropical Storm Ivan51 claims · $612K
Lewisburg is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Union County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lewisburg
Disasters that paid out in Lewisburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Lewisburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby20 households applied for aid$54K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee104 households applied for aid$212K aid approved70 flood claims paid for it, $848K
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan45 households applied for aid$112K aid approved51 flood claims paid for it, $612K
Union County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lewisburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lewisburg archive →Lewisburg and its neighbors
Lewisburg is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Kelly Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| East Buffalo Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| West Chillisquaque Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 155 |
| Lewisburg | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 287 |
| Linntown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Lewisburg 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Lewisburg 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 Lewisburg
Is Lewisburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewisburg has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #955 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and strong wind (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lewisburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 287 claims in Lewisburg since 1979, $3.4M in all, or 145.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 38 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (70).
Is Lewisburg 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 Union County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lewisburg?
Lewisburg 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 Lewisburg?
By FEMA money that reached Lewisburg, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 104 households applied for aid, $212K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 70 paid, $848K.
Is Lewisburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Lewisburg’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lewisburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lewisburg’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.