Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Reynoldsville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reynoldsville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 60 claims here since 1980.
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 Reynoldsville 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 Reynoldsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Reynoldsville, and Reynoldsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Reynoldsville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $656K a year in losses across Reynoldsville: $548K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Reynoldsville flood? Sometimes: 60 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Reynoldsville, from FEMA’s records: 53.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan18 claims · $332K
Reynoldsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Reynoldsville
Disasters that paid out in Reynoldsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Reynoldsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan43 households applied for aid$129K aid approved18 flood claims paid for it, $332K
Jefferson County has had 11 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 Reynoldsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Reynoldsville archive →Get ready for what Reynoldsville 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 Reynoldsville
Is Reynoldsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reynoldsville has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). 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 Reynoldsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 60 claims in Reynoldsville since 1980, $1.1M in all, or 53.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (18).
Is Reynoldsville 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 Jefferson County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Reynoldsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Reynoldsville’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 Reynoldsville?
By FEMA money that reached Reynoldsville, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 43 households applied for aid, $129K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 18 paid, $332K.
Is Reynoldsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Reynoldsville’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Reynoldsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Reynoldsville’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.