Photo: Adam Moss aka Roadgeek Adam on Flickr · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hatfield than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hatfield gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #660 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 38 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 Hatfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hatfield 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 Hatfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hatfield, and Hatfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
B #660 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hatfield’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, Hatfield has more expected damage per building than 64% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Hatfield: $588K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hatfield flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hatfield, from FEMA’s records: 27.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida6 claims · $298K
- Hurricane Isaias3 claims · $65K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $4K
Hatfield 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hatfield
Disasters that paid out in Hatfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Hatfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida75 households applied for aid$120K aid approved6 flood claims paid for it, $298K
- 2011Hurricane Irene15 households applied for aid$12K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $4K
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved3 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 Hatfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hatfield archive →Get ready for what Hatfield 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 Hatfield
Is Hatfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hatfield has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #660 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). 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 Hatfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Hatfield since 1978, $721K in all, or 27.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (6).
Is Hatfield 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 Hatfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hatfield’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 Hatfield?
By FEMA money that reached Hatfield, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 75 households applied for aid, $120K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 6 paid, $298K.
Is Hatfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Hatfield’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hatfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hatfield’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.