Photo: Gerry Dincher from Quincy, Illinois · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Watsontown’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watsontown gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Watsontown 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 Watsontown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Watsontown, and Watsontown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Watsontown’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $920K a year in losses across Watsontown: $815K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Watsontown flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Watsontown, from FEMA’s records: 19.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $18K
Watsontown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Northumberland County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Watsontown
Disasters that paid out in Watsontown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Watsontown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee40 households applied for aid$192K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan23 households applied for aid$109K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $18K
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 Watsontown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Watsontown archive →Watsontown and its neighbors
Watsontown is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Watsontown | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| White Deer Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
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 Watsontown 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 Watsontown
Is Watsontown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watsontown has higher expected damage per building than 78% 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 Watsontown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Watsontown since 1979, $175K in all, or 19.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (3).
Is Watsontown 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 Watsontown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Watsontown’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 Watsontown?
By FEMA money that reached Watsontown, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 40 households applied for aid, $192K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 3 paid, $18K.
Is Watsontown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Watsontown’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Watsontown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Watsontown’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.