Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Summit Hill than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Summit Hill gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #93 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (10%). 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 Summit Hill 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 Summit Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Summit Hill, and Summit Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #93 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Summit Hill’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, Summit Hill has less expected damage per building than 91% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $658K a year in losses across Summit Hill: $292K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Summit Hill flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Summit Hill. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Summit Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carbon County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Summit Hill
Disasters that paid out in Summit Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Summit Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Carbon County has had 15 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 Summit Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Summit Hill archive →Summit Hill and its neighbors
Summit Hill has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summit Hill | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Jim Thorpe | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mahoning Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lansford | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Nesquehoning | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Tamaqua | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
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 Summit Hill 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 Summit Hill
Is Summit Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Summit Hill has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #93 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 Summit Hill 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 Carbon County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Summit Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Summit Hill’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 Summit Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Summit Hill, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 3 households applied for aid, $9K approved.
Is Summit Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Summit Hill’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Summit Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Summit Hill’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.