On FEMA’s figures, West Hazleton faces less hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Hazleton gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #87 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Hazleton 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
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
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 Hazleton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Hazleton, and West Hazleton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 7% (higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #87 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Hazleton’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, West Hazleton has less expected damage per building than 92% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $918K a year in losses across West Hazleton: $633K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Hazleton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in West Hazleton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
West Hazleton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Luzerne County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Hazleton
Disasters that paid out in West Hazleton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of West Hazleton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$757 aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan4 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Luzerne County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Hazleton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Hazleton archive →West Hazleton and its neighbors
West Hazleton is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazle Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Hazleton | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| West Hazleton | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Hazleton 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Hazleton
Is West Hazleton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Hazleton has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #87 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and earthquakes (7%). 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.
Is West Hazleton 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 Luzerne County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Hazleton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Hazleton’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 Hazleton?
By FEMA money that reached West Hazleton, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 4 households applied for aid, $9K approved.
Is West Hazleton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and West Hazleton’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Hazleton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Hazleton’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.