Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Media, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Media gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #8 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Media 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
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 Media’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Media, and Media’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 12% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #8 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Media’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, Media has less expected damage per building than 99% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Media: $708K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Media flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Media, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd3 claims · $70K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $4K
Media 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Media
Disasters that paid out in Media itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Media), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida87 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene48 households applied for aid$95K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$7K 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 Media after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Media archive →Media and its neighbors
Media 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Upper Providence Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Nether Providence Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Media 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.
- 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.
- 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 Media
Is Media at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Media has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #8 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Media flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Media since 1999, $127K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (3).
Is Media 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 Media?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Media’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 Media?
By FEMA money that reached Media, Hurricane Irene (2011): 48 households applied for aid, $95K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 3 paid, $70K.
Is Media at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Media’s rate for it is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Media.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Media’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.