Narbrook Park Historic District · Photo: Smallbones · CC0FEMA puts Narberth’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Narberth gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #271 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1979.
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 Narberth 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 Narberth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Narberth, and Narberth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A #271 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Narberth’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, Narberth has less expected damage per building than 74% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Narberth: $661K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Narberth flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Narberth, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $2K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Isaias1 claim · $2K
Narberth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Narberth
Disasters that paid out in Narberth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Narberth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida31 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
Montgomery County has had 23 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 Narberth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Narberth archive →Narberth and its neighbors
Narberth 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narberth | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Merion Station | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Wynnewood | — | 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 Narberth 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 Narberth
Is Narberth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Narberth has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #271 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and earthquakes (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 Narberth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Narberth since 1979, $71K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is Narberth 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 Montgomery County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Narberth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Narberth’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 Narberth?
By FEMA money that reached Narberth, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 25 households applied for aid, $41K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Narberth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Narberth’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Narberth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Narberth’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.