Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Fountain Hill than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fountain Hill gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #1,008 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1985.
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 Fountain Hill 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
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 Fountain Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fountain Hill, and Fountain Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #1,008 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Fountain Hill’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, Fountain Hill has more expected damage per building than 97% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Fountain Hill: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fountain Hill flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fountain Hill, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gloria1 claim · $3K
Fountain Hill 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 Fountain Hill
Disasters that paid out in Fountain Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Fountain Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene8 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan3 households applied for aid$8K 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 Fountain Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fountain Hill archive →Fountain Hill and its neighbors
Fountain Hill is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Fountain Hill | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Fountain Hill 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.
- 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 Fountain Hill
Is Fountain Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fountain Hill has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #1,008 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). 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 Fountain Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Fountain Hill since 1985, $3K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Gloria (1).
Is Fountain Hill 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 Fountain Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fountain Hill’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 Fountain Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Fountain Hill, Hurricane Irene (2011): 8 households applied for aid, $18K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Gloria: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Fountain Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Fountain Hill’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fountain Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fountain Hill’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.