Alexander Hamilton House · Photo: StephenMonn · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Waynesboro than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waynesboro gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #115 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Waynesboro 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
Earthquakes
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 Waynesboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waynesboro, and Waynesboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #115 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waynesboro’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, Waynesboro has less expected damage per building than 89% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Waynesboro: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waynesboro flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waynesboro, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Waynesboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waynesboro
Disasters that paid out in Waynesboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Waynesboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides59 households applied for aid$83K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Franklin County has had 16 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 Waynesboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waynesboro archive →Waynesboro and its neighbors
Waynesboro has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waynesboro | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Wayne Heights | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Waynesboro 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Waynesboro
Is Waynesboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waynesboro has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #115 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waynesboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Waynesboro since 1979, $36K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Waynesboro 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 Franklin County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waynesboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waynesboro’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 Waynesboro?
By FEMA money that reached Waynesboro, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 59 households applied for aid, $83K approved.
Is Waynesboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Waynesboro’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waynesboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waynesboro’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.