Photo: Mike Kalasnik from Fort Mill, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hellertown than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hellertown gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #579 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Hellertown 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 Hellertown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hellertown, and Hellertown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #579 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hellertown’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, Hellertown has more expected damage per building than 56% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Hellertown: $915K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hellertown flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hellertown, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan8 claims · $211K
- Hurricane Isaias3 claims · $7K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $10K
Hellertown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Northampton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hellertown
Disasters that paid out in Hellertown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Hellertown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida24 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene16 households applied for aid$14K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $10K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan78 households applied for aid$159K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $211K
Northampton County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hellertown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hellertown archive →Hellertown and its neighbors
Hellertown has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hellertown | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Lower Saucon Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Bethlehem | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 166 |
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 Hellertown 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 Hellertown
Is Hellertown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hellertown has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #579 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hellertown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Hellertown since 2004, $229K in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (8).
Is Hellertown 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 Northampton County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hellertown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hellertown’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 Hellertown?
By FEMA money that reached Hellertown, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 78 households applied for aid, $159K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 8 paid, $211K.
Is Hellertown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Hellertown’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hellertown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hellertown’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.