Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in North Huntingdon Township than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Huntingdon Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #163 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 52 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 stands out about North Huntingdon Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Huntingdon 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 Huntingdon Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Huntingdon Township, and North Huntingdon Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
A #163 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Huntingdon Township’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, North Huntingdon Township has less expected damage per building than 84% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across North Huntingdon Township: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Huntingdon Township flood? Sometimes: 52 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Huntingdon Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $7K
North Huntingdon 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: Westmoreland County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to North Huntingdon Township
Disasters that paid out in North Huntingdon Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to North Huntingdon Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan11 households applied for aid$14K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
Westmoreland County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of North Huntingdon Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Huntingdon Township archive →North Huntingdon Township and its neighbors
North Huntingdon Township is 3rd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hempfield Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 93 |
| Penn Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 276 |
| North Huntingdon Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| White Oak | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Manor | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Sewickley Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 74 |
| Trafford | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Elizabeth Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 151 |
| Level Green | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Coulter | — | 236 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| South Versailles Township | — | 312 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 Huntingdon 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 Huntingdon Township
Is North Huntingdon Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Huntingdon Township has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #163 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Huntingdon Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 52 claims in North Huntingdon Township since 1978, $658K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is North Huntingdon 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 Westmoreland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Huntingdon Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Huntingdon 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 Huntingdon Township?
By FEMA money that reached North Huntingdon Township, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 11 households applied for aid, $14K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $7K.
Is North Huntingdon Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and North Huntingdon Township’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Huntingdon Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Huntingdon 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.