Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Laureldale than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laureldale gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #283 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Laureldale 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
Tornadoes
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 Laureldale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laureldale, and Laureldale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A #283 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Laureldale’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, Laureldale has less expected damage per building than 73% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $713K a year in losses across Laureldale: $463K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Laureldale flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Laureldale, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Laureldale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berks County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Laureldale
Disasters that paid out in Laureldale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Laureldale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Berks County has had 19 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 Laureldale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laureldale archive →Laureldale and its neighbors
Laureldale has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laureldale | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| South Temple | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Hyde Park | — | 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 Laureldale 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Laureldale
Is Laureldale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laureldale has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #283 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (11%). 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 Laureldale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Laureldale since 1978, $3K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Laureldale 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 Berks County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Laureldale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Laureldale’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 Laureldale?
By FEMA money that reached Laureldale, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 2 households applied for aid, $11K approved.
Is Laureldale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Laureldale’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laureldale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laureldale’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.