Photo: Smallbones · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Strasburg faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Strasburg gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #795 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (11%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Strasburg 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 Strasburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Strasburg, and Strasburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #795 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Strasburg’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, Strasburg has more expected damage per building than 77% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Strasburg: $781K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Strasburg flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Strasburg. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Strasburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lancaster County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Strasburg
Disasters that paid out in Strasburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Strasburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee4 households applied for aid$341 aid approved
Lancaster County has had 18 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 Strasburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Strasburg archive →Get ready for what Strasburg 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 Strasburg
Is Strasburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Strasburg has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #795 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (11%). 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.
Is Strasburg 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 Lancaster County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Strasburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Strasburg’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 Strasburg?
By FEMA money that reached Strasburg, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 4 households applied for aid, $341 approved.
Is Strasburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Strasburg’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Strasburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Strasburg’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.