Less hazard damage per building is expected in East Lansdowne than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Lansdowne gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #220 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1980.
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 East Lansdowne 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
Hurricanes
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.
What’s behind East Lansdowne’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Lansdowne, and East Lansdowne’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A #220 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of East Lansdowne’s 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, East Lansdowne has less expected damage per building than 79% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $447K a year in losses across East Lansdowne: $274K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Lansdowne flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Lansdowne, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gloria1 claim · $3K
East Lansdowne 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Lansdowne
Disasters that paid out in East Lansdowne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of East Lansdowne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida15 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee2 households applied for aid$795 aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene24 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
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 East Lansdowne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Lansdowne archive →Get ready for what East Lansdowne 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.
- 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.
- 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 East Lansdowne
Is East Lansdowne at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Lansdowne has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #220 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (11%). 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 East Lansdowne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in East Lansdowne since 1980, $11K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Gloria (1).
Is East Lansdowne 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 East Lansdowne?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Lansdowne’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 East Lansdowne?
By FEMA money that reached East Lansdowne, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 15 households applied for aid, $50K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Gloria: 1 paid, $3K.
Is East Lansdowne at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and East Lansdowne’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Lansdowne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Lansdowne’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.