Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in South Middleton Township than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Middleton Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #367 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 stands out about South Middleton Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Middleton 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
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 Middleton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Middleton Township, and South Middleton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #367 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Middleton Township’s residents live in 3 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 Middleton Township has less expected damage per building than 65% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across South Middleton Township: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Middleton Township flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Middleton Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $1K
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $3K
South Middleton 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: Cumberland County.The storms South Middleton Township remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Cumberland County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Middleton Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20118 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Cumberland County
- 19797 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19844 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Cumberland County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of South Middleton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Middleton Township archive →South Middleton Township and its neighbors
South Middleton Township is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Dickinson Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Huntington Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| South Middleton Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Carlisle | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Monroe Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 346 |
| Latimore Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Silver Spring Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
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 Middleton 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.
- 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 Middleton Township
Is South Middleton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Middleton Township has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #367 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Middleton Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in South Middleton Township since 1979, $207K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is South Middleton 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 Cumberland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Middleton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Middleton Township’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 South Middleton Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $1K.
Is South Middleton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and South Middleton Township’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Middleton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Middleton 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.