Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in South Heidelberg Township than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Heidelberg Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #179 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 South Heidelberg Township 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
Hurricanes
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 South Heidelberg Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Heidelberg Township, and South Heidelberg Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 18% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A #179 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Heidelberg Township’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, South Heidelberg Township has less expected damage per building than 83% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across South Heidelberg Township: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Heidelberg Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Heidelberg Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Heidelberg Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berks County.The storms South Heidelberg Township remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Berks County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Heidelberg Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19781 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20181 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Berks County has had 19 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 South Heidelberg Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Heidelberg Township archive →South Heidelberg Township and its neighbors
South Heidelberg Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Heidelberg Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sinking Spring | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Wernersville | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Spring Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Heidelberg Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lower Heidelberg Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| West Cocalico Township | B+less damage than 66% | 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 South Heidelberg Township 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.
- 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.
- 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 South Heidelberg Township
Is South Heidelberg Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Heidelberg Township has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #179 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Heidelberg Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in South Heidelberg Township since 1978, $7K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South Heidelberg Township 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 Berks County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Heidelberg Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Heidelberg Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is South Heidelberg Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and South Heidelberg Township’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Heidelberg Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Heidelberg Township’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.