On FEMA’s figures, Youngwood faces less hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Youngwood gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #196 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Youngwood 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 Youngwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Youngwood, and Youngwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
A #196 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Youngwood’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, Youngwood has less expected damage per building than 81% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $457K a year in losses across Youngwood: $407K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Youngwood flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Youngwood, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $29K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $11K
Youngwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Westmoreland County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Youngwood
Disasters that paid out in Youngwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Youngwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $29K
Westmoreland County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Youngwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Youngwood archive →Youngwood and its neighbors
Youngwood is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Stanton | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Youngwood | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Youngwood 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 Youngwood
Is Youngwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Youngwood has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #196 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). 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 Youngwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Youngwood since 2004, $381K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Youngwood 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 Westmoreland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Youngwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Youngwood’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 Youngwood?
By FEMA money that reached Youngwood, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $4K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $29K.
Is Youngwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Youngwood’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Youngwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Youngwood’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.