Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than State College, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, State College gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #5 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1978.
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 State College 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
Tornadoes
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 State College’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in State College, and State College’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #5 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
State College’s residents live in 9 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, State College has less expected damage per building than 100% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across State College: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does State College flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in State College, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $209K
State College isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Centre County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to State College
Disasters that paid out in State College itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of State College), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan72 households applied for aid$116K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $209K
Centre County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of State College after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the State College archive →State College and its neighbors
State College has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| State College | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Ferguson Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| College Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
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 State College 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 State College
Is State College at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, State College has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #5 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does State College flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in State College since 1978, $221K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% 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 State College 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 Centre County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in State College?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for State College’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 State College?
By FEMA money that reached State College, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 72 households applied for aid, $116K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $209K.
Is State College at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and State College’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in State College.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where State College’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.