Photo: S.MacMillen · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Sterling Township faces less hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sterling Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Sterling 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 Sterling Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sterling Township, and Sterling Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sterling Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $425K a year in losses across Sterling Township: $327K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sterling Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sterling Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sterling 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: Wayne County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Sterling Township
Disasters that paid out in Sterling Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Sterling Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$848 aid approved
Wayne County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sterling Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sterling Township archive →Sterling Township and its neighbors
Sterling Township is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Salem Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lehigh Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Dreher Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sterling Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Greene Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lake Wallenpaupack Estates | — | 233 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 Sterling 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 Sterling Township
Is Sterling Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sterling Township has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) 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 Sterling Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Sterling Township since 1984, $5K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sterling 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 Wayne County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sterling Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sterling 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 Sterling Township?
By FEMA money that reached Sterling Township, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $848 approved.
Is Sterling Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Sterling Township’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sterling Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sterling 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.