Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Northampton as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northampton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #825 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Northampton 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 Northampton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northampton, and Northampton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #825 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northampton’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, Northampton has more expected damage per building than 80% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Northampton: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northampton flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northampton, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida2 claims · $22K
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $56K
- Hurricane Isaias2 claims · $19K
Northampton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Northampton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northampton
Disasters that paid out in Northampton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Northampton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida44 households applied for aid$8K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene14 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$753 aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan20 households applied for aid$66K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $56K
Northampton County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Northampton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northampton archive →Northampton and its neighbors
Northampton is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coplay | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Allen Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Whitehall Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Northampton | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| North Catasauqua | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Cementon | — | 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 Northampton 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 Northampton
Is Northampton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northampton has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #825 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northampton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Northampton since 1979, $257K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (2).
Is Northampton 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 Northampton County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Northampton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northampton’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 Northampton?
By FEMA money that reached Northampton, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 20 households applied for aid, $66K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 2 paid, $22K.
Is Northampton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Northampton’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northampton’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.