Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Union Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #432 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 291 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 Union Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Union Township 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 Union Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Union Township, and Union Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #432 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Union Township’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, Union Township has less expected damage per building than 58% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Union Township: $898K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Union Township flood? Yes: 291 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Union Township, from FEMA’s records: 220.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee64 claims · $2.2M
- Tropical Storm Ivan50 claims · $936K
- Hurricane Ida10 claims · $169K
Union Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lebanon County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Union Township
Disasters that paid out in Union Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Union Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$157K to Union Township for repairs
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$10K to Union Township for repairs50 flood claims paid for it, $936K
Lebanon County has had 15 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 Union Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Union Township archive →Union Township and its neighbors
Union Township is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethel Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Union Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 291 |
| East Hanover Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Swatara Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Jonestown | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| North Annville Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
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 Union Township 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 Union Township
Is Union Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Union Township has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #432 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 Union Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 291 claims in Union Township since 1978, $6.0M in all, or 220.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 58 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (64).
Is Union Township 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 Lebanon County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Union Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Union Township’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 Union Township?
By FEMA money that reached Union Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): $157K to Union Township for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 64 paid, $2.2M.
Is Union Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Union Township’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Union Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Union Township’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.