Zion Lutheran Church · Photo: National Park Service · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Middle Smithfield Township than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middle Smithfield Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #412 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1996.
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 Middle Smithfield Township 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 Middle Smithfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Middle Smithfield Township, and Middle Smithfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #412 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Middle Smithfield Township’s residents live in 6 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, Middle Smithfield Township has less expected damage per building than 60% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Middle Smithfield Township: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Middle Smithfield Township flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Middle Smithfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $22K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $1K
Middle Smithfield Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Middle Smithfield Township
Disasters that paid out in Middle Smithfield Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Middle Smithfield Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Monroe County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Middle Smithfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Middle Smithfield Township archive →Middle Smithfield Township and its neighbors
Middle Smithfield Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwick Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Middle Smithfield Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Price Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Lehman Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Walpack Township | — | 4 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Porter Township | — | 393 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Middle Smithfield Township 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 Middle Smithfield Township
Is Middle Smithfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middle Smithfield Township has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #412 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Middle Smithfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Middle Smithfield Township since 1996, $122K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (1).
Is Middle Smithfield Township 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 Monroe County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Middle Smithfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Middle Smithfield Township’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 Middle Smithfield Township?
By FEMA money that reached Middle Smithfield Township, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 2 households applied for aid, $1K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 1 paid, $22K.
Is Middle Smithfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Middle Smithfield Township’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Middle Smithfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Middle Smithfield Township’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.