Photo: Adam Moss · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Folcroft than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Folcroft gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #297 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1989.
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 Folcroft 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
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 Folcroft’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Folcroft, and Folcroft’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A #297 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Folcroft’s 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, Folcroft has less expected damage per building than 71% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Folcroft: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Folcroft flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Folcroft, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isaias1 claim · $2K
Folcroft 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 Folcroft
Disasters that paid out in Folcroft itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Folcroft), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida187 households applied for aid$272K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee8 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene83 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan5 households applied for aid$2K 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 Folcroft after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Folcroft archive →Folcroft and its neighbors
Folcroft is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenolden | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Folcroft | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sharon Hill | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Norwood | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Philadelphia | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,177 |
| Tinicum Township | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 309 |
| 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 Folcroft 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.
- 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 Folcroft
Is Folcroft at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Folcroft has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #297 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Folcroft flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Folcroft since 1989, $9K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isaias (1).
Is Folcroft 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 Folcroft?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Folcroft’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 Folcroft?
By FEMA money that reached Folcroft, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 187 households applied for aid, $272K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isaias: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Folcroft at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Folcroft’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Folcroft.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Folcroft’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.