Bowman Homestead · Photo: Lee Paxton · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in North Versailles Township than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Versailles Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #154 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 22 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 Versailles Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Versailles 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 Versailles Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Versailles Township, and North Versailles Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
A #154 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Versailles Township’s residents live in 2 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 Versailles Township has less expected damage per building than 85% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across North Versailles Township: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Versailles Township flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Versailles Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $8K
North Versailles 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: Allegheny County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to North Versailles Township
Disasters that paid out in North Versailles Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to North Versailles Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan10 households applied for aid$19K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $8K
Allegheny County has had 15 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 Versailles Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Versailles Township archive →North Versailles Township and its neighbors
North Versailles Township is 2nd of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroeville | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| North Versailles Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Duquesne | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East McKeesport | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| North Braddock | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East Pittsburgh | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Trafford | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| McKeesport | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Wilmerding | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Wall | — | 563 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| West Wilmerding | — | 475 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 Versailles 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 Versailles Township
Is North Versailles Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Versailles Township has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #154 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Versailles Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in North Versailles Township since 1978, $124K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is North Versailles 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 Allegheny County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Versailles Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Versailles 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 Versailles Township?
By FEMA money that reached North Versailles Township, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 10 households applied for aid, $19K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $8K.
Is North Versailles Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and North Versailles Township’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Versailles Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Versailles 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.