Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in North Buffalo Township than in 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Buffalo Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #841 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1984.
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 North Buffalo 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
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 North Buffalo Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Buffalo Township, and North Buffalo Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #841 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Buffalo Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, North Buffalo Township has more expected damage per building than 81% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $787K a year in losses across North Buffalo Township: $737K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Buffalo Township flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Buffalo Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North Buffalo 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: Armstrong County.The storms North Buffalo Township remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for Armstrong County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Buffalo Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19841 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Armstrong County
- 20131 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20171 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Armstrong County has had 14 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 North Buffalo Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Buffalo Township archive →North Buffalo Township and its neighbors
North Buffalo Township is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Buffalo Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| North Buffalo Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| West Franklin Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| East Franklin Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| West Kittanning | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Manor Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Ford City | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Cadogan Township | — | 290 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 North Buffalo 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.
- 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 North Buffalo Township
Is North Buffalo Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Buffalo Township has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #841 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). 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 North Buffalo Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in North Buffalo Township since 1984, $18K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is North Buffalo 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 Armstrong County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Buffalo Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Buffalo Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is North Buffalo Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and North Buffalo Township’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Buffalo Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Buffalo 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.