Photo: Michael J at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts Tunkhannock’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tunkhannock gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 99 claims here since 1979.
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 Tunkhannock’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tunkhannock 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 Tunkhannock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tunkhannock, and Tunkhannock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Tunkhannock’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Tunkhannock: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tunkhannock flood? Sometimes: 99 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tunkhannock, from FEMA’s records: 115.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee19 claims · $2.1M
- Tropical Storm Ivan14 claims · $390K
Tunkhannock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wyoming County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tunkhannock
Disasters that paid out in Tunkhannock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Tunkhannock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee281 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved19 flood claims paid for it, $2.1M
- 2011Hurricane Irene19 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides274 households applied for aid$722K aid approved13 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan132 households applied for aid$210K aid approved14 flood claims paid for it, $390K
Wyoming County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Tunkhannock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tunkhannock archive →Tunkhannock and its neighbors
Tunkhannock 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tunkhannock Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
| Eaton Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 156 |
| Tunkhannock | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
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 Tunkhannock 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 Tunkhannock
Is Tunkhannock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tunkhannock has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). 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 Tunkhannock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 99 claims in Tunkhannock since 1979, $3.2M in all, or 115.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (19).
Is Tunkhannock 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 Wyoming County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tunkhannock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tunkhannock’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 Tunkhannock?
By FEMA money that reached Tunkhannock, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 281 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 19 paid, $2.1M.
Is Tunkhannock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Tunkhannock’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tunkhannock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tunkhannock’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.