FEMA puts Springfield Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #127 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 123 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 Springfield Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Springfield 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
Earthquakes
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 Springfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Springfield Township, and Springfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #127 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Springfield Township’s residents live in 7 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, Springfield Township has less expected damage per building than 88% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Springfield Township: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Springfield Township flood? Yes: 123 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Springfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 13.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd25 claims · $767K
- Hurricane Isaias16 claims · $599K
- Hurricane Irene9 claims · $235K
Springfield 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: Delaware County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Springfield Township
Disasters that paid out in Springfield Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Springfield Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida49 households applied for aid$13K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $16K
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee9 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene53 households applied for aid$35K aid approved9 flood claims paid for it, $235K
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Delaware County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Springfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Springfield Township archive →Springfield Township and its neighbors
Springfield Township is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morton | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Marple Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Springfield Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| Haverford Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 139 |
| Swarthmore | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Nether Providence Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Ridley Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Upper Darby Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 363 |
| Drexel Hill | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Woodlyn | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Folsom | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Springfield 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Springfield Township
Is Springfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield Township has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #127 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Springfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 123 claims in Springfield Township since 1979, $2.7M in all, or 13.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (25).
Is Springfield 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 Delaware County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Springfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Springfield 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 Springfield Township?
By FEMA money that reached Springfield Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 53 households applied for aid, $35K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 25 paid, $767K.
Is Springfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Springfield Township’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Springfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Springfield 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.