Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Royersford than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Royersford gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #930 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1978.
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 Royersford 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
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 Royersford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Royersford, and Royersford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C #930 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Royersford’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, Royersford has more expected damage per building than 90% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Royersford: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Royersford flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Royersford, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee3 claims · $53K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $26K
Royersford 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Royersford
Disasters that paid out in Royersford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Royersford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida119 households applied for aid$89K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $26K
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $53K
- 2011Hurricane Irene11 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$891 aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$5K 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 Royersford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Royersford archive →Royersford and its neighbors
Royersford is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limerick Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| East Vincent Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Spring City | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Royersford | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Royersford 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.
- 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 Royersford
Is Royersford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Royersford has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #930 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Royersford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Royersford since 1978, $529K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (3).
Is Royersford 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 Royersford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Royersford’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 Royersford?
By FEMA money that reached Royersford, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 119 households applied for aid, $89K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 3 paid, $53K.
Is Royersford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Royersford’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Royersford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Royersford’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.