Schlicher Covered Bridge · Photo: Lehigh Valley, PA · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in North Whitehall Township than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Whitehall Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #236 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 North Whitehall 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 North Whitehall Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Whitehall Township, and North Whitehall Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A #236 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Whitehall Township’s residents live in 4 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, North Whitehall Township has less expected damage per building than 77% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across North Whitehall Township: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Whitehall Township flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Whitehall Township, 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.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $19K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $50K
- Hurricane Isaias1 claim · $959
North Whitehall 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: Lehigh County.The storms North Whitehall Township remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Lehigh County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Whitehall Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19792 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19811 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19991 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Lehigh County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of North Whitehall Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Whitehall Township archive →North Whitehall Township and its neighbors
North Whitehall Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 8 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Whitehall Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Lehigh Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| South Whitehall Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Washington Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Allen Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Whitehall Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Heidelberg Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Lowhill Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Laurys Station | — | 744 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Schnecksville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Egypt | — | 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 North Whitehall 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 North Whitehall Township
Is North Whitehall Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Whitehall Township has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #236 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Whitehall Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in North Whitehall Township since 1979, $84K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is North Whitehall 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 Lehigh County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Whitehall Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Whitehall 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 North Whitehall Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $19K.
Is North Whitehall Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and North Whitehall Township’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Whitehall Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Whitehall 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.