FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Nescopeck than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nescopeck gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 16 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 Nescopeck 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 Nescopeck’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nescopeck, and Nescopeck’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Nescopeck’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $556K a year in losses across Nescopeck: $461K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nescopeck flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nescopeck, from FEMA’s records: 20.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee5 claims · $216K
- Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $30K
Nescopeck isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Luzerne County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nescopeck
Disasters that paid out in Nescopeck itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Nescopeck), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee61 households applied for aid$235K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $216K
- 2011Hurricane Irene2 households applied for aid$47K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides19 households applied for aid$62K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$659 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan9 households applied for aid$23K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $30K
Luzerne County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Nescopeck after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nescopeck archive →Nescopeck and its neighbors
Nescopeck 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Nescopeck Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 73 |
| Nescopeck | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Mifflin Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| East Berwick | — | 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 Nescopeck 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 Nescopeck
Is Nescopeck at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nescopeck has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C 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 Nescopeck flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Nescopeck since 1979, $290K in all, or 20.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (5).
Is Nescopeck 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 Luzerne County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nescopeck?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nescopeck’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 Nescopeck?
By FEMA money that reached Nescopeck, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 61 households applied for aid, $235K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 5 paid, $216K.
Is Nescopeck at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Nescopeck’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nescopeck.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nescopeck’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.