Henry Antes House · Photo: Smallbones · CC0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Upper Frederick Township than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Frederick Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #327 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Upper Frederick 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
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 Frederick Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Upper Frederick Township, and Upper Frederick Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 5% (higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts).
A #327 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Upper Frederick Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Upper Frederick Township has less expected damage per building than 69% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $844K a year in losses across Upper Frederick Township: $525K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Upper Frederick Township flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Upper Frederick Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $931
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $4K
Upper Frederick 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: Montgomery County.The storms Upper Frederick Township remembers
None of the 23 disasters declared for Montgomery County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Upper Frederick Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19791 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19931 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Snowfall and Winter Storm, declared for Montgomery County
- 20041 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Montgomery County
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 Upper Frederick Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Upper Frederick Township archive →Upper Frederick Township and its neighbors
Upper Frederick Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Frederick Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Upper Hanover Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| New Hanover Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Marlborough Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Lower Frederick Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Green Lane | — | 511 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 Frederick 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.
- 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 Frederick Township
Is Upper Frederick Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Frederick Township has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #327 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (5%). 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 Frederick Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Upper Frederick Township since 1979, $14K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Upper Frederick 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 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 Upper Frederick Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Upper Frederick 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 Frederick Township?
By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $931.
Is Upper Frederick Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Upper Frederick Township’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Upper Frederick Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Upper Frederick 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.