Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Freemansburg than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freemansburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #949 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 1979.
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 Freemansburg 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 Freemansburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Freemansburg, and Freemansburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #949 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Freemansburg’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, Freemansburg has more expected damage per building than 92% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $743K a year in losses across Freemansburg: $592K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Freemansburg flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Freemansburg, from FEMA’s records: 31.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan24 claims · $212K
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $65K
Freemansburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Northampton County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Freemansburg
Disasters that paid out in Freemansburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Freemansburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida10 households applied for aid$18K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $65K
- 2011Hurricane Irene2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan34 households applied for aid$68K aid approved24 flood claims paid for it, $212K
Northampton County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Freemansburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Freemansburg archive →Freemansburg and its neighbors
Freemansburg 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Lower Saucon Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Bethlehem | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 166 |
| Freemansburg | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Middletown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Freemansburg 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 Freemansburg
Is Freemansburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freemansburg has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #949 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). 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 Freemansburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Freemansburg since 1979, $350K in all, or 31.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (24).
Is Freemansburg 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 Northampton County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Freemansburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Freemansburg’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 Freemansburg?
By FEMA money that reached Freemansburg, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 34 households applied for aid, $68K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 24 paid, $212K.
Is Freemansburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Freemansburg’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Freemansburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Freemansburg’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.