On FEMA’s figures, Colwyn faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colwyn gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 90 claims here since 1981.
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 stands out about Colwyn’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Colwyn 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
Earthquakes
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 Colwyn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Colwyn, and Colwyn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Colwyn’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $641K a year in losses across Colwyn: $433K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Colwyn flood? Sometimes: 90 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Colwyn, from FEMA’s records: 103.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene19 claims · $1.5M
- Hurricane Floyd10 claims · $291K
- Hurricane Isaias8 claims · $467K
Colwyn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Delaware County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Colwyn
Disasters that paid out in Colwyn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Colwyn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida8 households applied for aid$15K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee2 households applied for aid$151 aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $237K
Delaware County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Colwyn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Colwyn archive →Colwyn and its neighbors
Colwyn is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharon Hill | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Philadelphia | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,177 |
| Darby | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 338 |
| Colwyn | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
| Darby Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Colwyn 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Colwyn
Is Colwyn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colwyn has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (8%). 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 Colwyn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 90 claims in Colwyn since 1981, $3.4M in all, or 103.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (19).
Is Colwyn 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 Delaware County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Colwyn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Colwyn’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 Colwyn?
By FEMA money that reached Colwyn, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 8 households applied for aid, $15K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 19 paid, $1.5M.
Is Colwyn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Colwyn’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Colwyn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Colwyn’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.