Photo: Bruce Fingerhood from Springfield, Oregon, US · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in North Towanda Township than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Towanda Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1996.
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 Towanda 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 Towanda Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Towanda Township, and North Towanda Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Towanda Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $608K a year in losses across North Towanda Township: $547K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Towanda Township flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Towanda Township, from FEMA’s records: 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $11K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $8K
North Towanda 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: Bradford County.The storms North Towanda Township remembers
None of the 17 disasters declared for Bradford County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Towanda Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19962 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Bradford County
- 20042 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Bradford County
- 20111 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Bradford County
Bradford County has had 17 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 Towanda Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Towanda Township archive →North Towanda Township and its neighbors
North Towanda Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wysox Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Towanda Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| North Towanda Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Towanda | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Sheshequin Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Burlington Township | — | 536 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 Towanda 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 Towanda Township
Is North Towanda Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Towanda Township has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. 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 Towanda Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in North Towanda Township since 1996, $34K in all, or 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% 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 Towanda 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 Bradford County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Towanda Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Towanda 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 Towanda Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $11K.
Is North Towanda Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and North Towanda Township’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Towanda Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Towanda 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.