Idlewild · Photo: Smallbones · CC0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Upper Providence Township than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Providence Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #200 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1980.
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 Providence 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
Earthquakes
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 Providence Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Upper Providence Township, and Upper Providence Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A #200 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Upper Providence 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, Upper Providence Township has less expected damage per building than 81% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Upper Providence Township: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Upper Providence Township flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Upper Providence Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd8 claims · $73K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $138K
Upper Providence 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.The storms Upper Providence Township remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Delaware County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Upper Providence Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19998 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations, declared for Delaware County
- 19942 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, declared for Delaware County
- 20112 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Delaware County
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 Upper Providence Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Upper Providence Township archive →Upper Providence Township and its neighbors
Upper Providence Township is 7th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Newtown Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Marple Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Springfield Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| Middletown Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Edgmont Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Upper Providence Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Nether Providence Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Providence 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Providence Township
Is Upper Providence Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Providence Township has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #200 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Upper Providence Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Upper Providence Township since 1980, $238K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (8).
Is Upper Providence 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 Upper Providence Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Upper Providence 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 Providence Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 8 paid, $73K.
Is Upper Providence Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Upper Providence Township’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Upper Providence Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Upper Providence 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.