Photo: Pubdog · Public domainFEMA puts Ridgway’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ridgway gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #1,014 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 151 claims here since 1981.
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 Ridgway’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ridgway 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 Ridgway’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ridgway, and Ridgway’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #1,014 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ridgway’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, Ridgway has more expected damage per building than 98% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Ridgway: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ridgway flood? Yes: 151 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ridgway, from FEMA’s records: 77.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $7K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $8K
Ridgway isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Elk County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ridgway
Disasters that paid out in Ridgway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Ridgway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan8 households applied for aid$8K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
Elk County has had 7 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Ridgway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ridgway archive →Get ready for what Ridgway 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 Ridgway
Is Ridgway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ridgway has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #1,014 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. 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 Ridgway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 151 claims in Ridgway since 1981, $6.0M in all, or 77.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 19 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Ridgway 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 Elk 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 Ridgway?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ridgway’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 Ridgway?
By FEMA money that reached Ridgway, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 8 households applied for aid, $8K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $7K.
Is Ridgway at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Ridgway’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ridgway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ridgway’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.