Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Midland faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Midland gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2008.
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 Midland 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 Midland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Midland, and Midland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Midland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Midland: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Midland flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Midland, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Midland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Beaver County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Midland
Disasters that paid out in Midland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Midland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan22 households applied for aid$59K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances7 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Beaver County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Midland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Midland archive →Midland and its neighbors
Midland is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greene Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Ohioville | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Midland | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Industry | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 Midland 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 Midland
Is Midland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Midland has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Midland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Midland since 2008, $25K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Midland 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 Beaver County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Midland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Midland’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 Midland?
By FEMA money that reached Midland, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 22 households applied for aid, $59K approved.
Is Midland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Midland’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Midland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Midland’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.