Photo: Jakec · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Sunbury’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sunbury gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #456 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 53 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 Sunbury’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sunbury 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 Sunbury’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sunbury, and Sunbury’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #456 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sunbury’s residents live in 3 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, Sunbury has less expected damage per building than 56% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Sunbury: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sunbury flood? Sometimes: 53 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sunbury, from FEMA’s records: 10.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan6 claims · $67K
- Tropical Storm Lee3 claims · $106K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $950
Sunbury is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Northumberland County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sunbury
Disasters that paid out in Sunbury itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sunbury), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee141 households applied for aid$288K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $106K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides22 households applied for aid$63K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan36 households applied for aid$73K aid approved6 flood claims paid for it, $67K
Northumberland 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 Sunbury after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sunbury archive →Get ready for what Sunbury 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.
- Sunbury residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sunbury
Is Sunbury at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sunbury has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #456 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sunbury flood?
Flood insurance has paid 53 claims in Sunbury since 1978, $462K in all, or 10.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (6).
Is Sunbury 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 Northumberland County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sunbury?
Sunbury is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Sunbury?
By FEMA money that reached Sunbury, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 141 households applied for aid, $288K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 6 paid, $67K.
Is Sunbury at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Sunbury’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sunbury.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sunbury’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.