Photo: Canadian2006 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Somerset’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerset gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #209 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Somerset 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 Somerset’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Somerset, and Somerset’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
A #209 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Somerset’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, Somerset has less expected damage per building than 80% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Somerset: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Somerset flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Somerset, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $5K
Somerset isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Somerset County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Somerset
Disasters that paid out in Somerset itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Somerset), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan8 households applied for aid$11K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
Somerset County has had 17 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 Somerset after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Somerset archive →Get ready for what Somerset 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 Somerset
Is Somerset at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerset has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #209 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Somerset flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Somerset since 1980, $131K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Somerset 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 Somerset County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Somerset?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Somerset’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 Somerset?
By FEMA money that reached Somerset, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 8 households applied for aid, $11K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Somerset at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Somerset’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Somerset.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Somerset’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.