Photo: Generic1139 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Heidelberg than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Heidelberg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2004.
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 Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Heidelberg, and Heidelberg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Heidelberg’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $561K a year in losses across Heidelberg: $479K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Heidelberg flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Heidelberg, from FEMA’s records: 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan6 claims · $702K
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $10K
Heidelberg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegheny County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Heidelberg
Disasters that paid out in Heidelberg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Heidelberg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan70 households applied for aid$603K aid approved6 flood claims paid for it, $702K
Allegheny County has had 15 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 Heidelberg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Heidelberg archive →Heidelberg and its neighbors
Heidelberg is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 218 |
| Collier Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Heidelberg | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Glendale | — | 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 Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg
Is Heidelberg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Heidelberg has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). 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 Heidelberg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Heidelberg since 2004, $712K in all, or 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (6).
Is Heidelberg 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 Allegheny County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Heidelberg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Heidelberg’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 Heidelberg?
By FEMA money that reached Heidelberg, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 70 households applied for aid, $603K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 6 paid, $702K.
Is Heidelberg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Heidelberg’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Heidelberg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Heidelberg’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.