Spring Grove Borough Historic District · Photo: Smallbones · CC0More hazard damage per building is expected in Spring Grove than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring Grove gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #920 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
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 Spring Grove 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 Spring Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spring Grove, and Spring Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C #920 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Spring Grove’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Spring Grove has more expected damage per building than 89% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $845K a year in losses across Spring Grove: $768K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Spring Grove flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spring Grove, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $5K
Spring Grove isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Spring Grove
Disasters that paid out in Spring Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Spring Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida38 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee66 households applied for aid$74K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
York County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Spring Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spring Grove archive →Spring Grove and its neighbors
Spring Grove is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| North Codorus Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Spring Grove | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Spring Grove 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 Spring Grove
Is Spring Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring Grove has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #920 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (9%). 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 Spring Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Spring Grove since 2011, $5K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is Spring Grove 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 York County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Spring Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spring Grove’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 Spring Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Spring Grove, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 66 households applied for aid, $74K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Spring Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Spring Grove’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spring Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spring Grove’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.