Jacob Jr. Ehrenhardt House · Photo: Smallbones · CC0FEMA puts Emmaus’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Emmaus gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #456 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1987.
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 Emmaus 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
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 Emmaus’ grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Emmaus, and Emmaus’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #456 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Emmaus’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Emmaus has less expected damage per building than 56% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Emmaus: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Emmaus flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Emmaus, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isaias3 claims · $37K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $22K
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $7K
Emmaus 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Emmaus
Disasters that paid out in Emmaus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Emmaus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene54 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan10 households applied for aid$34K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
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 Emmaus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Emmaus archive →Emmaus and its neighbors
Emmaus is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Milford Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Emmaus | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Salisbury Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Lower Macungie Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 150 |
| Allentown | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 310 |
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 Emmaus 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.
- 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 Emmaus
Is Emmaus at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Emmaus has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #456 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Emmaus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Emmaus since 1987, $114K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isaias (3).
Is Emmaus 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 Emmaus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Emmaus’ 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 Emmaus?
By FEMA money that reached Emmaus, Hurricane Irene (2011): 54 households applied for aid, $42K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isaias: 3 paid, $37K.
Is Emmaus at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Emmaus’ rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Emmaus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Emmaus’ 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.