Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ. M.D. · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Paupack Township faces less hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paupack Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #263 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1979.
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 Paupack 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
Hurricanes
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 Paupack Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paupack Township, and Paupack Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A #263 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Paupack 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, Paupack Township has less expected damage per building than 75% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Paupack Township: $947K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paupack Township flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paupack Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $10K
Paupack 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: Wayne County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Paupack Township
Disasters that paid out in Paupack Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Paupack Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Wayne County has had 21 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 Paupack Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paupack Township archive →Paupack Township and its neighbors
Paupack Township is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Salem Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Paupack Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Palmyra Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Cherry Ridge Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Palmyra Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wallenpaupack Lake Estates | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Paupack 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Paupack Township
Is Paupack Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paupack Township has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #263 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Paupack Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Paupack Township since 1979, $57K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Paupack 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 Wayne County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Paupack Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paupack 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 Paupack Township?
By FEMA money that reached Paupack Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): 1 households applied for aid, $5K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Paupack Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Paupack Township’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paupack Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paupack 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.