Photo: Dincher · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts White Deer Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Deer Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #989 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 64 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 White Deer 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
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 White Deer Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in White Deer Township, and White Deer Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #989 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of White Deer Township’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, White Deer Township has more expected damage per building than 95% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across White Deer Township: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White Deer Township flood? Sometimes: 64 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White Deer Township, from FEMA’s records: 32.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan11 claims · $258K
- Tropical Storm Lee7 claims · $179K
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $16K
White Deer 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to White Deer Township
Disasters that paid out in White Deer Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to White Deer Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $16K
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $179K
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan11 households applied for aid$31K aid approved11 flood claims paid for it, $258K
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 White Deer Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White Deer Township archive →White Deer Township and its neighbors
White Deer Township is 8th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Kelly Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Turbot Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| West Buffalo Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Milton | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 378 |
| Watsontown | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Delaware Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| White Deer Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| New Columbia | — | 766 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| West Milton | — | 804 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 White Deer 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.
- 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 White Deer Township
Is White Deer Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Deer Township has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #989 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 White Deer Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 64 claims in White Deer Township since 1979, $831K in all, or 32.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (11).
Is White Deer 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 White Deer Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White Deer 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 White Deer Township?
By FEMA money that reached White Deer Township, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 11 households applied for aid, $31K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 11 paid, $258K.
Is White Deer Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and White Deer Township’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White Deer Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White Deer 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.