Clifford’s biggest natural hazard is inland flooding
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Clifford comes from inland flooding, and overall the risk is moderate for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2006. 3 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
What stands out about Clifford’s weather risks
Read from FEMA’s records below. The page puts what stands out first.
How exposed is Clifford?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings here to be higher than in 44% of U.S. communities, mostly from inland flooding.
Rated higher than 1,397 of the 2,558 Pennsylvania towns we cover.
Clifford covers 1 census tract, combined by population.
What Clifford faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how it compares with the rest of the country.
Inland flooding
Tornadoes
Does Clifford flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clifford, from FEMA’s records.
Clifford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Susquehanna County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clifford
Disasters that paid out in Clifford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Township of Clifford) and its biggest flood years.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 household applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 household applied for aid$2K aid approved
Susquehanna County has had 21 natural disasters declared since 1953, most often severe storms and hurricanes.
Old photos of Clifford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clifford archive →Get ready for what Clifford actually faces
A short kit for its top hazards, 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.
- 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.
- Keep a shovel, a blanket and snacks in the car.
- Clear snow from furnace and dryer vents.
- Check on older neighbors when the power goes out.
- 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.
Clifford and its neighbors
Clifford ranks 5th calmest of 9 towns around it. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Rating | Mostly | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fell | Very high | inland flooding | 4 |
| Forest City | High | inland flooding | 1 |
| Clinton | Moderate | inland flooding | 1 |
| Clifford | Moderate | inland flooding | 4 |
| Lenox | Moderate | inland flooding | 3 |
| Greenfield | Low | inland flooding | 0 |
| Gibson | Very low | inland flooding | 0 |
| Union Dale | Very low | inland flooding | 0 |
| Herrick | Very low | inland flooding | 1 |
Rating = expected yearly storm and flood damage as a share of what’s there, vs. U.S. communities. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Most disasters here begin in August–October
The month each of Susquehanna County’s 21 declared disasters began, since 1953.
What these numbers can and can’t tell you
- An average, not a forecast. FEMA’s National Risk Index estimates the damage 18 kinds of natural hazards cause in a typical year, from decades of records and models. A quiet decade can follow a bad year.
- Compared by rate. “Higher than N%” compares yearly damage as a share of what’s there, so a big city isn’t rated riskier just for having more buildings.
- Money that reached town. Flood claims are matched to Clifford’s own flood-insurance community; household aid to the registrant’s city; repair grants to the Township of Clifford.
- It follows property value. FEMA’s model weighs damage to buildings, so a place that recently lost many homes can rate lower than it feels. Across Clifford, expected losses total about $2.2M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clifford.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); 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. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. An average of past damage, not a forecast.