Photo: Dincher · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in West Buffalo Township than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Buffalo Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #946 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2004.
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 West Buffalo 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
Strong wind
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 West Buffalo Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Buffalo Township, and West Buffalo Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #946 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Buffalo Township’s residents live in 2 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, West Buffalo Township has more expected damage per building than 91% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $758K a year in losses across West Buffalo Township: $598K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Buffalo Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Buffalo Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $5K
West Buffalo 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: Union County.The storms West Buffalo Township remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for Union County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Buffalo Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20041 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Union County
Union County has had 14 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 West Buffalo Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Buffalo Township archive →West Buffalo Township and its neighbors
West Buffalo Township is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Buffalo Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Limestone Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 103 |
| Lewis Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| West Buffalo Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mifflinburg | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| 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 West Buffalo 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 West Buffalo Township
Is West Buffalo Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Buffalo Township has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #946 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and strong wind (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Buffalo Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in West Buffalo Township since 2004, $5K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is West Buffalo 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 Union County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Buffalo Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Buffalo 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 West Buffalo Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $5K.
Is West Buffalo Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and West Buffalo Township’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Buffalo Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Buffalo 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.