More hazard damage per building is expected in Matamoras than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Matamoras gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 1981.
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 Matamoras’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Matamoras 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 Matamoras’ grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Matamoras, and Matamoras’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Matamoras’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $963K a year in losses across Matamoras: $806K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Matamoras flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Matamoras, from FEMA’s records: 32.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $8K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $3K
Matamoras isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pike County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Matamoras
Disasters that paid out in Matamoras itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Matamoras), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides75 households applied for aid$134K aid approved14 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding103 households applied for aid$355K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan12 households applied for aid$23K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $8K
Pike County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Matamoras after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Matamoras archive →Matamoras and its neighbors
Matamoras has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matamoras | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Port Jervis | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| Westfall Township | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
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 Matamoras 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 Matamoras
Is Matamoras at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Matamoras has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. 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 Matamoras flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Matamoras since 1981, $598K in all, or 32.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Matamoras 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 Pike County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Matamoras?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Matamoras’ 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 Matamoras?
By FEMA money that reached Matamoras, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): 103 households applied for aid, $355K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $8K.
Is Matamoras at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Matamoras’ rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Matamoras.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Matamoras’ 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.