Martin Schultz House · Photo: Paul Galbreath · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Hallam than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hallam gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #551 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Hallam’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hallam 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
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 Hallam’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hallam, and Hallam’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #551 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hallam’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, Hallam has more expected damage per building than 53% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $702K a year in losses across Hallam: $529K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hallam flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hallam, from FEMA’s records: 23.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee7 claims · $341K
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $9K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $883
Hallam isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hallam
Disasters that paid out in Hallam itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Hallam), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $883
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee22 households applied for aid$30K aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $341K
York County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hallam after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hallam archive →Get ready for what Hallam 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.
- 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 Hallam
Is Hallam at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hallam has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #551 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (16%). 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 Hallam flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Hallam since 1978, $510K in all, or 23.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (7).
Is Hallam 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 York County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hallam?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hallam’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 Hallam?
By FEMA money that reached Hallam, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 22 households applied for aid, $30K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 7 paid, $341K.
Is Hallam at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Hallam’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hallam.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hallam’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.