Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Waynesburg as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waynesburg gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #822 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 64 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 Waynesburg 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 Waynesburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waynesburg, and Waynesburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #822 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Waynesburg’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, Waynesburg has more expected damage per building than 79% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Waynesburg: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waynesburg flood? Sometimes: 64 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waynesburg, from FEMA’s records: 39.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan24 claims · $420K
- Tropical Storm Allison2 claims · $2K
Waynesburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Waynesburg
Disasters that paid out in Waynesburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Waynesburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan93 households applied for aid$577K aid approved24 flood claims paid for it, $420K
Greene County has had 12 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 Waynesburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waynesburg archive →Waynesburg and its neighbors
Waynesburg 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waynesburg | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| West Waynesburg | — | 299 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Morrisville | — | 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 Waynesburg 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 Waynesburg
Is Waynesburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waynesburg has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #822 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). 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 Waynesburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 64 claims in Waynesburg since 1978, $722K in all, or 39.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (24).
Is Waynesburg 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 Greene County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waynesburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waynesburg’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 Waynesburg?
By FEMA money that reached Waynesburg, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 93 households applied for aid, $577K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 24 paid, $420K.
Is Waynesburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Waynesburg’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waynesburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waynesburg’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.