Roaring Spring Historic District · Photo: Andrew Bossi · CC BY-SA 2.5Less hazard damage per building is expected in Roaring Spring than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roaring Spring gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims 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 Roaring Spring 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 Roaring Spring’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roaring Spring, and Roaring Spring’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Roaring Spring’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $513K a year in losses across Roaring Spring: $437K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roaring Spring flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roaring Spring, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Roaring Spring isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Blair County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roaring Spring
Disasters that paid out in Roaring Spring itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Roaring Spring), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida1 households applied for aid$182 aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances5 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
Blair County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Roaring Spring after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roaring Spring archive →Get ready for what Roaring Spring 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 Roaring Spring
Is Roaring Spring at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roaring Spring has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (5%). 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 Roaring Spring flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Roaring Spring since 1996, $25K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Roaring Spring 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 Blair County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Roaring Spring?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Roaring Spring’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 Roaring Spring?
By FEMA money that reached Roaring Spring, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 23 households applied for aid, $50K approved.
Is Roaring Spring at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Roaring Spring’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roaring Spring.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roaring Spring’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.