Photo: Nicholas · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Wind Gap’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wind Gap gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #184 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1981.
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 Wind Gap 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 Wind Gap’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wind Gap, and Wind Gap’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A #184 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wind Gap’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, Wind Gap has less expected damage per building than 82% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $449K a year in losses across Wind Gap: $311K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wind Gap flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wind Gap, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $6K
Wind Gap isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Northampton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wind Gap
Disasters that paid out in Wind Gap itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Wind Gap), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida15 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan14 households applied for aid$56K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
Northampton County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Wind Gap after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wind Gap archive →Wind Gap and its neighbors
Wind Gap has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Gap | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Plainfield Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Wind Gap 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 Wind Gap
Is Wind Gap at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wind Gap has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #184 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) 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 Wind Gap flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Wind Gap since 1981, $6K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Wind Gap 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 Northampton County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wind Gap?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wind Gap’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 Wind Gap?
By FEMA money that reached Wind Gap, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 14 households applied for aid, $56K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Wind Gap at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Wind Gap’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wind Gap.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wind Gap’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.