Photo: Jakec · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Northumberland than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northumberland gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #892 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 39 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 Northumberland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Northumberland 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 Northumberland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northumberland, and Northumberland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
C #892 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Northumberland’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, Northumberland has more expected damage per building than 86% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Northumberland: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northumberland flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northumberland, from FEMA’s records: 21.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan8 claims · $134K
- Tropical Storm Lee8 claims · $303K
Northumberland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Northumberland County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northumberland
Disasters that paid out in Northumberland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Northumberland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee68 households applied for aid$187K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $303K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides23 households applied for aid$42K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan26 households applied for aid$32K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $134K
Northumberland County has had 15 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 Northumberland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northumberland archive →Northumberland and its neighbors
Northumberland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northumberland | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Kapp Heights | — | 712 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 Northumberland 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 Northumberland
Is Northumberland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northumberland has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #892 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). 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 Northumberland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Northumberland since 1978, $703K in all, or 21.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (8).
Is Northumberland 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 Northumberland County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Northumberland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northumberland’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 Northumberland?
By FEMA money that reached Northumberland, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 68 households applied for aid, $187K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 8 paid, $134K.
Is Northumberland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Northumberland’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northumberland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northumberland’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.