Globe Knitting Mills · Photo: Smallbones · CC0More hazard damage per building is expected in Norristown than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norristown gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #902 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 165 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 stands out about Norristown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Norristown 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
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 Norristown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norristown, and Norristown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
C #902 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norristown’s residents live in 9 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, Norristown has more expected damage per building than 87% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.5M a year in losses across Norristown: $8.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norristown flood? Yes: 165 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norristown, from FEMA’s records: 11.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida18 claims · $1.7M
- Hurricane Floyd15 claims · $793K
Norristown 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norristown
Disasters that paid out in Norristown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Norristown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida1,184 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved18 flood claims paid for it, $1.7M
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee97 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene455 households applied for aid$516K aid approved9 flood claims paid for it, $301K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides100 households applied for aid$191K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan119 households applied for aid$239K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$23K 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 Norristown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norristown archive →Norristown and its neighbors
Norristown is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Norriton Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Plymouth Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 339 |
| Upper Merion Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 93 |
| West Norriton Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 642 |
| Norristown | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 165 |
| Bridgeport | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 140 |
| Swedesburg | — | 806 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 Norristown 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.
- 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 Norristown
Is Norristown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norristown has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #902 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norristown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 165 claims in Norristown since 1978, $5.2M in all, or 11.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (18).
Is Norristown 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 Norristown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norristown’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 Norristown?
By FEMA money that reached Norristown, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 1,184 households applied for aid, $3.0M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 18 paid, $1.7M.
Is Norristown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Norristown’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norristown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norristown’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.