Less hazard damage per building is expected in Souderton than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Souderton gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #60 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1984.
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 Souderton 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 Souderton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Souderton, and Souderton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 7% (higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #60 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Souderton’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, Souderton has less expected damage per building than 94% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Souderton: $707K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Souderton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Souderton, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Souderton 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 Souderton
Disasters that paid out in Souderton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Souderton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida59 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee2 households applied for aid$589 aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$991 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 Souderton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Souderton archive →Souderton and its neighbors
Souderton is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telford | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Souderton | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Franconia Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Souderton 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 Souderton
Is Souderton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Souderton has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #60 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and earthquakes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Souderton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Souderton since 1984, $5K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Souderton 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 Souderton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Souderton’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 Souderton?
By FEMA money that reached Souderton, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 59 households applied for aid, $69K approved.
Is Souderton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Souderton’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Souderton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Souderton’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.