Woodland · Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in St. Thomas Township than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Thomas Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #557 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1984.
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 St. Thomas 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 St. Thomas Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Thomas Township, and St. Thomas Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #557 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of St. Thomas Township’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, St. Thomas Township has more expected damage per building than 54% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across St. Thomas Township: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Thomas Township flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Thomas Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
St. Thomas 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: Franklin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Thomas Township
Disasters that paid out in St. Thomas Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to St. Thomas Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Franklin 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 St. Thomas Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Thomas Township archive →St. Thomas Township and its neighbors
St. Thomas Township is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antrim Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Peters Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Hamilton Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Letterkenny Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Metal Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| St. Thomas Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 St. Thomas 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 St. Thomas Township
Is St. Thomas Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Thomas Township has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #557 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (8%). 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 St. Thomas Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in St. Thomas Township since 1984, $58K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is St. Thomas 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 Franklin County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in St. Thomas Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Thomas 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 St. Thomas Township?
By FEMA money that reached St. Thomas Township, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 3 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is St. Thomas Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and St. Thomas Township’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Thomas Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Thomas 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.