On FEMA’s figures, White Haven faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Haven gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1996.
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 Haven 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
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 Haven’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in White Haven, and White Haven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of White Haven’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $319K a year in losses across White Haven: $248K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White Haven flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White Haven, from FEMA’s records: 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
White Haven 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to White Haven
Disasters that paid out in White Haven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of White Haven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee14 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides13 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan5 households applied for aid$8K 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 White Haven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White Haven archive →White Haven and its neighbors
White Haven 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Kidder Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| White Haven | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| East Side | — | 457 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Dennison Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Haven 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.
- 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 Haven
Is White Haven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Haven has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (5%). 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 Haven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in White Haven since 1996, $6K in all, or 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is White Haven 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 White Haven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White Haven’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 Haven?
By FEMA money that reached White Haven, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 14 households applied for aid, $46K approved.
Is White Haven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and White Haven’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White Haven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White Haven’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.