Photo: Marduk · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Penndel faces less hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Penndel gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #247 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then earthquakes (14%). 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 Penndel 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
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 Penndel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Penndel, and Penndel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A #247 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Penndel’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, Penndel has less expected damage per building than 76% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $467K a year in losses across Penndel: $340K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Penndel flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Penndel. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Penndel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bucks County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Penndel
Disasters that paid out in Penndel itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Penndel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene19 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
Bucks County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Penndel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Penndel archive →Get ready for what Penndel 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.
- 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 Penndel
Is Penndel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Penndel has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #247 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and earthquakes (14%). 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 Penndel 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 Bucks County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Penndel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Penndel’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 Penndel?
By FEMA money that reached Penndel, Hurricane Irene (2011): 19 households applied for aid, $28K approved.
Is Penndel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Penndel’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Penndel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Penndel’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.