Juniata Woolen Mill and Newry Manor · Photo: Jet Lowe · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Snake Spring Township than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Snake Spring Township 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 (92%). Flood insurance has paid 133 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 Snake Spring Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Snake Spring 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 Snake Spring Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Snake Spring Township, and Snake Spring Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Snake Spring Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Snake Spring Township: $932K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Snake Spring Township flood? Yes: 133 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Snake Spring Township, from FEMA’s records: 149.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida7 claims · $371K
Snake Spring 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: Bedford County.The storms Snake Spring Township remembers
None of the 16 disasters declared for Bedford County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Snake Spring Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199645 flood claims paidThe year of Flooding, Severe Storms, declared for Bedford County
- 198332 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 199328 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Snowfall and Winter Storm, declared for Bedford County
Bedford County has had 16 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 Snake Spring Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Snake Spring Township archive →Snake Spring Township and its neighbors
Snake Spring Township is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 427 |
| Colerain Township | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Snake Spring Township | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 133 |
| West Providence Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
| Hopewell Township | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| South Woodbury Township | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Snake Spring 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 Snake Spring Township
Is Snake Spring Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Snake Spring Township 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 (92%) 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 Snake Spring Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 133 claims in Snake Spring Township since 1979, $1.9M in all, or 149.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (7).
Is Snake Spring 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 Bedford County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Snake Spring Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Snake Spring 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 Snake Spring Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 7 paid, $371K.
Is Snake Spring Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Snake Spring Township’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Snake Spring Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Snake Spring 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.