Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Hatboro as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hatboro gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #764 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 185 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 Hatboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hatboro 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 Hatboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hatboro, and Hatboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #764 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hatboro’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, Hatboro has more expected damage per building than 74% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Hatboro: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hatboro flood? Yes: 185 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hatboro, from FEMA’s records: 53.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene39 claims · $1.5M
- Tropical Storm Allison22 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Ida19 claims · $1.4M
Hatboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hatboro
Disasters that paid out in Hatboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Hatboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida141 households applied for aid$413K aid approved19 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee48 households applied for aid$58K aid approved14 flood claims paid for it, $293K
- 2011Hurricane Irene138 households applied for aid$514K aid approved39 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan5 households applied for aid$19K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
Montgomery County has had 23 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 Hatboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hatboro archive →Hatboro and its neighbors
Hatboro 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Moreland Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| Hatboro | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 185 |
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 Hatboro 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 Hatboro
Is Hatboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hatboro has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #764 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hatboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 185 claims in Hatboro since 1978, $6.2M in all, or 53.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 22 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (39).
Is Hatboro 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 Montgomery County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hatboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hatboro’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 Hatboro?
By FEMA money that reached Hatboro, Hurricane Irene (2011): 138 households applied for aid, $514K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 39 paid, $1.5M.
Is Hatboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Hatboro’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hatboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hatboro’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.