Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Stroudsburg than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stroudsburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #953 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1996.
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 Stroudsburg 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
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 Stroudsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stroudsburg, and Stroudsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #953 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stroudsburg’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, Stroudsburg has more expected damage per building than 92% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Stroudsburg: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stroudsburg flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stroudsburg, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Henri6 claims · $95K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $2K
- Hurricane Isaias1 claim · $28K
Stroudsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stroudsburg
Disasters that paid out in Stroudsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Stroudsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene68 households applied for aid$127K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides88 households applied for aid$204K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding66 households applied for aid$65K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan41 households applied for aid$170K aid approved
Monroe County has had 15 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 Stroudsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stroudsburg archive →Stroudsburg and its neighbors
Stroudsburg is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Stroudsburg | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Stroud Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Stroudsburg | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Arlington Heights | — | 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 Stroudsburg 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.
- 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 Stroudsburg
Is Stroudsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stroudsburg has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #953 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stroudsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Stroudsburg since 1996, $160K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Henri (6).
Is Stroudsburg 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 Monroe County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stroudsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stroudsburg’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 Stroudsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Stroudsburg, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 88 households applied for aid, $204K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Henri: 6 paid, $95K.
Is Stroudsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Stroudsburg’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stroudsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stroudsburg’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.