FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in McCandless Township than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McCandless Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #20 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 35 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 McCandless Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What McCandless Township 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
Tornadoes
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 McCandless Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in McCandless Township, and McCandless Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 5% (lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #20 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
McCandless Township’s residents live in 6 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, McCandless Township has less expected damage per building than 98% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across McCandless Township: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McCandless Township flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McCandless Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan16 claims · $514K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $22K
McCandless Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegheny County.The storms McCandless Township remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Allegheny County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching McCandless Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 200418 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Allegheny County
- 20194 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20103 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms, declared for Allegheny County
Allegheny County has had 15 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 McCandless Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McCandless Township archive →McCandless Township and its neighbors
McCandless Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| McCandless Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Hampton Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Franklin Park | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Ross Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 169 |
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 McCandless Township 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 McCandless Township
Is McCandless Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McCandless Township has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #20 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McCandless Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in McCandless Township since 1979, $720K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (16).
Is McCandless Township 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 Allegheny County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McCandless Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McCandless Township’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 McCandless Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 16 paid, $514K.
Is McCandless Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and McCandless Township’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McCandless Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McCandless Township’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.