Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in South Mahoning Township than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Mahoning Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1996.
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 South Mahoning 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 Mahoning Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Mahoning Township, and South Mahoning Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Mahoning Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $531K a year in losses across South Mahoning Township: $436K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Mahoning Township flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Mahoning Township, from FEMA’s records: 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $14K
South Mahoning 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: Indiana County.The storms South Mahoning Township remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Indiana County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Mahoning Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20043 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Indiana County
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Indiana County
- 20021 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Indiana County has had 15 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 South Mahoning Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Mahoning Township archive →South Mahoning Township and its neighbors
South Mahoning Township is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Mahoning Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| South Mahoning Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Cowanshannock Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Washington Township | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| East Mahoning Township | — | 951 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 Mahoning 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 Mahoning Township
Is South Mahoning Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Mahoning Township has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 South Mahoning Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in South Mahoning Township since 1996, $30K in all, or 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is South Mahoning 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 Indiana County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Mahoning Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Mahoning 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 Mahoning Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $14K.
Is South Mahoning Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and South Mahoning Township’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Mahoning Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Mahoning 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.