Photo: Dronesquad2 · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hamburg than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamburg gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #416 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). 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 Hamburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hamburg 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
Tornadoes
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 Hamburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamburg, and Hamburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #416 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hamburg’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, Hamburg has less expected damage per building than 60% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Hamburg: $862K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamburg flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hamburg, from FEMA’s records: 11.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee3 claims · $5K
Hamburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berks County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hamburg
Disasters that paid out in Hamburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Hamburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee14 households applied for aid$19K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $5K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides32 households applied for aid$53K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
Berks County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hamburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamburg archive →Hamburg and its neighbors
Hamburg is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tilden Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Hamburg | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Windsor Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| West Hamburg | — | 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 Hamburg 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Hamburg
Is Hamburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamburg has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #416 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 Hamburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Hamburg since 1978, $158K in all, or 11.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (3).
Is Hamburg 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 Berks County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hamburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamburg’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 Hamburg?
By FEMA money that reached Hamburg, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 32 households applied for aid, $53K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 3 paid, $5K.
Is Hamburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Hamburg’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamburg’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.