Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Port Allegany than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Allegany gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Port Allegany 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 Port Allegany’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Allegany, and Port Allegany’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Port Allegany’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $932K a year in losses across Port Allegany: $833K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Allegany flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Allegany, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Port Allegany isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McKean County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Allegany
Disasters that paid out in Port Allegany itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Port Allegany), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby1 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
McKean County has had 10 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 Port Allegany after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Allegany archive →Get ready for what Port Allegany 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 Port Allegany
Is Port Allegany at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Allegany has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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 Port Allegany flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Port Allegany since 1996, $9K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Port Allegany 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 McKean County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Port Allegany?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Allegany’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 Port Allegany?
By FEMA money that reached Port Allegany, Tropical Storm Debby (2024): 1 households applied for aid, $13K approved.
Is Port Allegany at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Port Allegany’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Allegany.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Allegany’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.