FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Steelton than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steelton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #941 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 140 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 stands out about Steelton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Steelton 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 Steelton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Steelton, and Steelton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #941 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Steelton’s residents live in 2 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, Steelton has more expected damage per building than 91% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Steelton: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Steelton flood? Yes: 140 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Steelton, from FEMA’s records: 53.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee46 claims · $603K
- Tropical Storm Ivan34 claims · $184K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $14K
Steelton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dauphin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Steelton
Disasters that paid out in Steelton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Steelton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee154 households applied for aid$261K aid approved46 flood claims paid for it, $603K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan50 households applied for aid$78K aid approved34 flood claims paid for it, $184K
Dauphin County has had 17 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 Steelton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Steelton archive →Steelton and its neighbors
Steelton is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Swatara Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 91 |
| Swatara Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 312 |
| Steelton | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 140 |
| Highspire | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 211 |
| Enhaut | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Bressler | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Steelton 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 Steelton
Is Steelton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steelton has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #941 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Steelton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 140 claims in Steelton since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 53.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 29 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (46).
Is Steelton 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 Dauphin County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Steelton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Steelton’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 Steelton?
By FEMA money that reached Steelton, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 154 households applied for aid, $261K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 46 paid, $603K.
Is Steelton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Steelton’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Steelton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Steelton’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.