Photo: Smallbones · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Lansdowne’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lansdowne gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #451 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1999.
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 Lansdowne 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
Earthquakes
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 Lansdowne’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lansdowne, and Lansdowne’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #451 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lansdowne’s residents live in 3 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, Lansdowne has less expected damage per building than 57% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Lansdowne: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lansdowne flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lansdowne, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $16K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $32K
Lansdowne isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Delaware County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lansdowne
Disasters that paid out in Lansdowne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Lansdowne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida681 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee77 households applied for aid$73K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene484 households applied for aid$320K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $16K
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan35 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding86 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
Delaware County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lansdowne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lansdowne archive →Lansdowne and its neighbors
Lansdowne is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton Heights | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Yeadon | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Lansdowne | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Upper Darby Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 363 |
| Drexel Hill | — | 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 Lansdowne 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Lansdowne
Is Lansdowne at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lansdowne has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #451 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lansdowne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Lansdowne since 1999, $63K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Lansdowne 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 Delaware County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lansdowne?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lansdowne’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 Lansdowne?
By FEMA money that reached Lansdowne, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 681 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $16K.
Is Lansdowne at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Lansdowne’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lansdowne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lansdowne’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.