First Methodist Episcopal Church of McKeesport · Photo: Generic1139 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in McKeesport than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McKeesport gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #860 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1978.
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 McKeesport 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 McKeesport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in McKeesport, and McKeesport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #860 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McKeesport’s residents live in 9 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, McKeesport has more expected damage per building than 83% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.9M a year in losses across McKeesport: $5.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McKeesport flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McKeesport, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $6K
McKeesport 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to McKeesport
Disasters that paid out in McKeesport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McKeesport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan5 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
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 McKeesport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McKeesport archive →McKeesport and its neighbors
McKeesport is 6th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Mifflin | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| North Versailles Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Duquesne | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| White Oak | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Liberty | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| McKeesport | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Port Vue | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Versailles | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dravosburg | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Glassport | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Greenock | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 McKeesport 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 McKeesport
Is McKeesport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McKeesport has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #860 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McKeesport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in McKeesport since 1978, $462K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is McKeesport 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 McKeesport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McKeesport’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 McKeesport?
By FEMA money that reached McKeesport, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 5 households applied for aid, $9K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $6K.
Is McKeesport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and McKeesport’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McKeesport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McKeesport’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.