Photo: Adam Moss · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Rush Township than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rush Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1993.
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 Rush Township 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 Rush Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rush Township, and Rush Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rush Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $532K a year in losses across Rush Township: $445K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rush Township flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rush Township, from FEMA’s records: 23.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $46K
- Tropical Storm Lee3 claims · $151K
Rush Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Susquehanna County.The storms Rush Township remembers
None of the 20 disasters declared for Susquehanna County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Rush Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20043 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Susquehanna County
- 20063 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Susquehanna County
- 20113 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Susquehanna County
Susquehanna County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Rush Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rush Township archive →Rush Township and its neighbors
Rush Township is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rush Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Forest Lake Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Jessup Township | — | 395 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stevens Township | — | 490 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Rush Township 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 Rush Township
Is Rush Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rush Township has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (8%). 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 Rush Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Rush Township since 1993, $502K in all, or 23.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (3).
Is Rush Township 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 Susquehanna 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 Rush Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rush Township’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 Rush Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 3 paid, $46K.
Is Rush Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Rush Township’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rush Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rush Township’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.