Photo: Nicholas from Pennsylvania, USA · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Smethport’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smethport gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Smethport 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 Smethport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Smethport, and Smethport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Smethport’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $812K a year in losses across Smethport: $740K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Smethport flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Smethport, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Smethport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McKean County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Smethport
Disasters that paid out in Smethport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Smethport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
McKean County has had 10 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 Smethport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Smethport archive →Get ready for what Smethport 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 Smethport
Is Smethport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smethport has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). 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 Smethport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Smethport since 1980, $2K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Smethport 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 McKean County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Smethport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Smethport’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 Smethport?
By FEMA money that reached Smethport, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 7 households applied for aid, $9K approved.
Is Smethport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Smethport’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Smethport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Smethport’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.