Photo: Nicholas · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Milesburg than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milesburg gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 48 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 Milesburg 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 Milesburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milesburg, and Milesburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Milesburg’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $362K a year in losses across Milesburg: $334K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milesburg flood? Sometimes: 48 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milesburg, from FEMA’s records: 106.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan18 claims · $386K
Milesburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Centre County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Milesburg
Disasters that paid out in Milesburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Milesburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan47 households applied for aid$132K aid approved18 flood claims paid for it, $386K
Centre County has had 12 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 Milesburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milesburg archive →Get ready for what Milesburg 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 Milesburg
Is Milesburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milesburg has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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 Milesburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 48 claims in Milesburg since 1978, $527K in all, or 106.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (18).
Is Milesburg 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 Centre County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Milesburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milesburg’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 Milesburg?
By FEMA money that reached Milesburg, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 47 households applied for aid, $132K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 18 paid, $386K.
Is Milesburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Milesburg’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milesburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milesburg’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.