Trinity Hall · Photo: Wjmoore17 · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts North Franklin Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Franklin Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #242 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1980.
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 Franklin 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 Franklin Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Franklin Township, and North Franklin Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
A #242 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Franklin 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 Franklin Township has less expected damage per building than 77% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $880K a year in losses across North Franklin Township: $813K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Franklin Township flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Franklin Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $8K
North Franklin 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: Washington County.The storms North Franklin Township remembers
None of the 11 disasters declared for Washington County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Franklin Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20043 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Washington County
- 19942 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, declared for Washington County
- 20032 flood claims paidThe year of Snow, declared for Washington County
Washington County has had 11 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 North Franklin Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Franklin Township archive →North Franklin Township and its neighbors
North Franklin 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 Strabane Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| North Franklin Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Washington | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| South Franklin Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Buffalo Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Canton Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Amwell Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Franklin 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 Franklin Township
Is North Franklin Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Franklin Township has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #242 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). 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 Franklin Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in North Franklin Township since 1980, $113K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is North Franklin 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 Washington County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Franklin Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Franklin Township’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 North Franklin Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $8K.
Is North Franklin Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and North Franklin Township’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Franklin Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Franklin 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.