Photo: Canadian2006 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Pitcairn than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pitcairn gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #928 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 62 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 Pitcairn 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 Pitcairn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pitcairn, and Pitcairn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C #928 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pitcairn’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, Pitcairn has more expected damage per building than 89% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Pitcairn: $668K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pitcairn flood? Sometimes: 62 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pitcairn, from FEMA’s records: 35.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $9K
Pitcairn 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 Pitcairn
Disasters that paid out in Pitcairn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Pitcairn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $9K
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 Pitcairn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pitcairn archive →Get ready for what Pitcairn 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 Pitcairn
Is Pitcairn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pitcairn has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #928 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). 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 Pitcairn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 62 claims in Pitcairn since 1979, $649K in all, or 35.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Pitcairn 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 Pitcairn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pitcairn’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 Pitcairn?
By FEMA money that reached Pitcairn, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 6 households applied for aid, $6K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $9K.
Is Pitcairn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Pitcairn’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pitcairn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pitcairn’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.