Photo: Vasiliymeshko · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Luzerne than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Luzerne gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #893 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 27 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 Luzerne 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 Luzerne’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Luzerne, and Luzerne’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C #893 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Luzerne’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, Luzerne has more expected damage per building than 86% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $813K a year in losses across Luzerne: $671K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Luzerne flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Luzerne, from FEMA’s records: 17.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $51K
- Tropical Storm Lee2 claims · $515K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $6K
Luzerne isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Luzerne County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Luzerne
Disasters that paid out in Luzerne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Luzerne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides19 households applied for aid$45K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Luzerne County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Luzerne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Luzerne archive →Luzerne and its neighbors
Luzerne 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Luzerne | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Pringle | — | 803 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Courtdale | — | 678 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 Luzerne 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 Luzerne
Is Luzerne at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Luzerne has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #893 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 Luzerne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Luzerne since 1979, $730K in all, or 17.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (4).
Is Luzerne 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 Luzerne County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Luzerne?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Luzerne’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 Luzerne?
By FEMA money that reached Luzerne, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 19 households applied for aid, $45K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 4 paid, $51K.
Is Luzerne at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Luzerne’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Luzerne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Luzerne’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.