Mansfield Armory · Photo: Pubdog · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Mansfield than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mansfield gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #872 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2004.
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 Mansfield 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 Mansfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mansfield, and Mansfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #872 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mansfield’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, Mansfield has more expected damage per building than 84% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Mansfield: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mansfield flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mansfield, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $658
- Hurricane Elsa1 claim · $3K
Mansfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tioga County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mansfield
Disasters that paid out in Mansfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Mansfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby16 households applied for aid$70K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan11 households applied for aid$20K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $658
Tioga County has had 16 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 Mansfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mansfield archive →Get ready for what Mansfield 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 Mansfield
Is Mansfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mansfield has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #872 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 Mansfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Mansfield since 2004, $16K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Mansfield 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 Tioga County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mansfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mansfield’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 Mansfield?
By FEMA money that reached Mansfield, Tropical Storm Debby (2024): 16 households applied for aid, $70K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $658.
Is Mansfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Mansfield’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mansfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mansfield’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.