Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Upper Bern Township than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Bern Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2004.
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 Upper Bern 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 Upper Bern Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Upper Bern Township, and Upper Bern Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Upper Bern Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $482K a year in losses across Upper Bern Township: $343K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Upper Bern Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Upper Bern Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $9K
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $177K
Upper Bern 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 Upper Bern Township remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Berks County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Upper Bern Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20041 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Berks County
- 20051 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 Upper Bern Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Upper Bern Township archive →Upper Bern Township and its neighbors
Upper Bern Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Tulpehocken Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Tilden Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Upper Bern Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Centre Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| South Manheim Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Shartlesville | — | 387 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Upper Bern 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 Upper Bern Township
Is Upper Bern Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Bern Township has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 Upper Bern Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Upper Bern Township since 2004, $186K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is Upper Bern 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 Upper Bern Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Upper Bern 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 Upper Bern Township?
By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Upper Bern Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Upper Bern Township’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Upper Bern Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Upper Bern 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.