Photo: Evanoco · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Scranton
Scranton isn’t graded for hazard risk: Scranton has 733 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2016.
What Scranton 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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.
Does Scranton flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scranton, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Matthew8 claims · $52K
Scranton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Florence County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Scranton
Disasters that paid out in Scranton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Scranton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence14 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2016Hurricane Matthew204 households applied for aid$127K aid approved$25K to the Town of Scranton for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $52K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding325 households applied for aid$279K aid approved
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$6K to the Town of Scranton for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances50 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$14K to the Town of Scranton for repairs
Florence County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Scranton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scranton archive →Get ready for what Scranton 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Scranton
Does Scranton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Scranton since 2016, $52K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (8).
Is Scranton 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 Florence County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Scranton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scranton’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 Scranton?
By FEMA money that reached Scranton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): 325 households applied for aid, $279K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 8 paid, $52K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scranton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scranton’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.