Photo: Paul Sableman on Flickr · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Norwood faces less hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norwood gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #431 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2011.
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 Norwood 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
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 Norwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norwood, and Norwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 7% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #431 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norwood’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, Norwood has less expected damage per building than 58% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Norwood: $800K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norwood flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norwood, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $7K
- Hurricane Isaias1 claim · $95K
Norwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Delaware County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norwood
Disasters that paid out in Norwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Norwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida34 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
Delaware County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Norwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norwood archive →Norwood and its neighbors
Norwood is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenolden | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Folcroft | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Norwood | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Prospect Park | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Tinicum Township | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 309 |
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 Norwood 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.
- 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 Norwood
Is Norwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norwood has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #431 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Norwood since 2011, $102K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Norwood 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 Delaware County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Norwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norwood’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 Norwood?
By FEMA money that reached Norwood, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 34 households applied for aid, $13K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $7K.
Is Norwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Norwood’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norwood’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.