Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Pennsburg than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pennsburg gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #157 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). 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 Pennsburg 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
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 Pennsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pennsburg, and Pennsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 7% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
A #157 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pennsburg’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, Pennsburg has less expected damage per building than 85% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $806K a year in losses across Pennsburg: $494K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pennsburg flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Pennsburg. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Pennsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pennsburg
Disasters that paid out in Pennsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Pennsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida25 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee2 households applied for aid$463 aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene9 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$361 aid approved
Montgomery County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Pennsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pennsburg archive →Pennsburg and its neighbors
Pennsburg has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsburg | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| East Greenville | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Red Hill | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Pennsburg 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.
- 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 Pennsburg
Is Pennsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pennsburg has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #157 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and earthquakes (7%). 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 Pennsburg 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 Montgomery County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pennsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pennsburg’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 Pennsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Pennsburg, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 25 households applied for aid, $36K approved.
Is Pennsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Pennsburg’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pennsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pennsburg’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.