Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Schwenksville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Schwenksville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1979.
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 Schwenksville 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 Schwenksville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Schwenksville, and Schwenksville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Schwenksville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $487K a year in losses across Schwenksville: $352K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Schwenksville flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Schwenksville, from FEMA’s records: 22.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $31K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $205K
Schwenksville 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 Schwenksville
Disasters that paid out in Schwenksville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Schwenksville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida144 households applied for aid$714K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $205K
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene28 households applied for aid$99K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $31K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan2 households applied for aid$4K 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 Schwenksville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Schwenksville archive →Schwenksville and its neighbors
Schwenksville is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perkiomen Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Lower Frederick Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Schwenksville | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
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 Schwenksville 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 Schwenksville
Is Schwenksville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Schwenksville has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). 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.
Does Schwenksville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Schwenksville since 1979, $323K in all, or 22.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Schwenksville 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 Schwenksville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Schwenksville’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 Schwenksville?
By FEMA money that reached Schwenksville, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 144 households applied for aid, $714K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $31K.
Is Schwenksville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Schwenksville’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Schwenksville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Schwenksville’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.