Natural Disasters in New Columbia, PA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
55.2
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
49.4
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
73.5
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
72.8
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
18
Public Assistance
$5.6M
Individual Assistance
$3.3M
Most Common Type
Flood
6 declarations
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm Debby → | Tropical Storm | Sep 2024 | $646K | $213K |
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | $4.5M | $869K |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Sandy → | Hurricane | Oct 2012 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Lee → | Flood | Sep 2011 | $299K | $1.3M |
| Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee → | Flood | Sep 2011 | — | — |
| Hurricane Katrina → | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | — | — |
| Tropical Depression Ivan → | Hurricane | Sep 2004 | $92K | $902K |
| Severe Storms and Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression Frances → | Severe Storm | Sep 2004 | — | — |
| Snow → | Severe Storm | Mar 2003 | $56K | — |
| Tropical Depression Dennis Pa → | Flood | Sep 1999 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Flood | Jan 1996 | — | — |
| Blizzard of 96 → | Snowstorm | Jan 1996 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storms → | Severe Storm | Mar 1994 | — | — |
| Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm → | Snowstorm | Mar 1993 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, High Winds & Tornadoes → | Tornado | Jun 1985 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Heavy Rains & Flooding → | Flood | Sep 1975 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Agnes → | Flood | Jun 1972 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides → | Unknown | — | — | $42K |
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
927
Total Claims Paid
$11,736,965
Avg Claim Payout
$12,661
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
8
Federal Funding
$3,391,443
Properties Protected
26
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.43
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 5 | $3,147,509 |
| 202.1: Elevation of Private Structures - Riverine | 1 | $174,900 |
| 106.1: Other Non Construction (Regular Project Only) | 1 | $18,784 |
| 904.1: Advanced Assistance | 1 | $50,250 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
New Columbia has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are strong wind, winter weather, hurricane. The area has had 18 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is flood (6 declarations). 927 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $5,558,694 in public assistance recovery funding. $3,323,768 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 8 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.