Photo: PattiParker · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Alburtis faces less hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alburtis gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #388 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Alburtis 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
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 Alburtis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alburtis, and Alburtis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #388 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Alburtis’ 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, Alburtis has less expected damage per building than 63% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Alburtis: $678K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alburtis flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alburtis, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Alburtis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lehigh County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Alburtis
Disasters that paid out in Alburtis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Alburtis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan13 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
Lehigh County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Alburtis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alburtis archive →Get ready for what Alburtis 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.
- 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 Alburtis
Is Alburtis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alburtis has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #388 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (9%). 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 Alburtis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Alburtis since 2019, $2K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Alburtis 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 Lehigh County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alburtis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alburtis’ 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 Alburtis?
By FEMA money that reached Alburtis, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 13 households applied for aid, $30K approved.
Is Alburtis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Alburtis’ rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alburtis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alburtis’ 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.