Photo: GalaMoruu · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Lock Haven than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lock Haven gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #138 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 97 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 Lock Haven’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lock Haven 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
Hurricanes
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 Lock Haven’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lock Haven, and Lock Haven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A #138 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lock Haven’s 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, Lock Haven has less expected damage per building than 87% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Lock Haven: $862K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lock Haven flood? Sometimes: 97 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lock Haven, from FEMA’s records: 26.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $74K
Lock Haven isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clinton County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Lock Haven
Disasters that paid out in Lock Haven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lock Haven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan95 households applied for aid$328K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $74K
Clinton County has had 12 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 Lock Haven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lock Haven archive →Lock Haven and its neighbors
Lock Haven has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lock Haven | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 97 |
| Castanea Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Flemington | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Woodward Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Allison Township | — | 271 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 Lock Haven 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Lock Haven
Is Lock Haven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lock Haven has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #138 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lock Haven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 97 claims in Lock Haven since 1979, $244K in all, or 26.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (4).
Is Lock Haven 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 Clinton County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lock Haven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lock Haven’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 Lock Haven?
By FEMA money that reached Lock Haven, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 95 households applied for aid, $328K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 4 paid, $74K.
Is Lock Haven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Lock Haven’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lock Haven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lock Haven’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.