Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Pen Argyl than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pen Argyl gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #77 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (12%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Pen Argyl 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
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 Pen Argyl’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pen Argyl, and Pen Argyl’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #77 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pen Argyl’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, Pen Argyl has less expected damage per building than 93% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $559K a year in losses across Pen Argyl: $386K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pen Argyl flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Pen Argyl. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Pen Argyl 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 Pen Argyl
Disasters that paid out in Pen Argyl itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Pen Argyl), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida14 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan7 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
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 Pen Argyl after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pen Argyl archive →Get ready for what Pen Argyl 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.
- 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 Pen Argyl
Is Pen Argyl at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pen Argyl has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #77 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (12%). 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.
Is Pen Argyl 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 Pen Argyl?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pen Argyl’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 Pen Argyl?
By FEMA money that reached Pen Argyl, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 7 households applied for aid, $24K approved.
Is Pen Argyl at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Pen Argyl’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pen Argyl.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pen Argyl’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.