Photo: South Fayette Township · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in South Fayette Township than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Fayette Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #254 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 64 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 stands out about South Fayette Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Fayette 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
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 South Fayette Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Fayette Township, and South Fayette Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
A #254 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Fayette Township’s residents live in 3 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, South Fayette Township has less expected damage per building than 76% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across South Fayette Township: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Fayette Township flood? Sometimes: 64 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Fayette Township, from FEMA’s records: 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan16 claims · $2.8M
- Hurricane Ida9 claims · $253K
South Fayette 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: Allegheny County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to South Fayette Township
Disasters that paid out in South Fayette Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to South Fayette Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved16 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
Allegheny County has had 15 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 South Fayette Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Fayette Township archive →South Fayette Township and its neighbors
South Fayette Township is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper St. Clair Township | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| North Fayette Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Cecil Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| South Fayette Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| Collier Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Bridgeville | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 192 |
| McDonald | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Oakdale | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 78 |
| Noblestown | — | 616 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 South Fayette 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.
- 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 South Fayette Township
Is South Fayette Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Fayette Township has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #254 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Fayette Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 64 claims in South Fayette Township since 1980, $4.2M in all, or 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (16).
Is South Fayette 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 Allegheny County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Fayette Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Fayette 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 South Fayette Township?
By FEMA money that reached South Fayette Township, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $4K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 16 paid, $2.8M.
Is South Fayette Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and South Fayette Township’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Fayette Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Fayette 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.