FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Sandy Township than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sandy Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #99 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 49 claims here since 1979.
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 Sandy Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sandy 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
Strong wind
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 Sandy Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sandy Township, and Sandy Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is strong wind at 6% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #99 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sandy Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Sandy Township has less expected damage per building than 91% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Sandy Township: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sandy Township flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sandy Township, from FEMA’s records: 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan6 claims · $45K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $3K
Sandy 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: Clearfield County.The storms Sandy Township remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for Clearfield County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Sandy Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 201330 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Clearfield County
- 19966 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Clearfield County
- 20046 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Clearfield County
Clearfield County has had 14 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 Sandy Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sandy Township archive →Sandy Township and its neighbors
Sandy Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 8 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Falls Creek | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Winslow Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Horton Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Snyder Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brady Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Huston Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Union Township | — | 774 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 Sandy 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Sandy Township
Is Sandy Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sandy Township has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #99 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and strong wind (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sandy Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in Sandy Township since 1979, $682K in all, or 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (6).
Is Sandy 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 Clearfield County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sandy Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sandy 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 Sandy Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 6 paid, $45K.
Is Sandy Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Sandy Township’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sandy Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sandy 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.