FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in White Oak than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Oak gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #542 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims 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 White Oak 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 Oak’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in White Oak, and White Oak’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #542 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
White Oak’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, White Oak has more expected damage per building than 52% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across White Oak: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White Oak flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White Oak, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $23K
White Oak isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegheny County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to White Oak
Disasters that paid out in White Oak itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of White Oak), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan21 households applied for aid$48K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $23K
Allegheny County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of White Oak after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White Oak archive →White Oak and its neighbors
White Oak is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Versailles Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| North Huntingdon Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| White Oak | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Elizabeth Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 151 |
| McKeesport | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| South Versailles Township | — | 312 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Greenock | — | 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 White Oak 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 Oak
Is White Oak at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Oak has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #542 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does White Oak flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in White Oak since 2004, $68K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is White Oak 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 Allegheny County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in White Oak?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White Oak’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 Oak?
By FEMA money that reached White Oak, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 21 households applied for aid, $48K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $23K.
Is White Oak at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and White Oak’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White Oak.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White Oak’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.