Natural Disasters in Palmerton, PA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
59.4
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
62.9
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
35.0
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
61.2
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Lightning | 87.8 |
| Heat Wave | 82.1 |
| Winter Weather | 78.7 |
| Strong Wind | 78.5 |
| Cold Wave | 76.7 |
| Hurricane | 73.1 |
| Landslide | 71.0 |
| Avalanche | 58.5 |
| Ice Storm | 50.5 |
| Earthquake | 46.6 |
| Wildfire | 41.3 |
| Tornado | 37.9 |
| Hail | 15.5 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
18
Most Recent
Biological
Mar 2020
Most Common Type
Hurricane
4 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 30, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Oct 29, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Sep 8, 2011 | Flood | REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE |
| Jun 30, 2006 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA |
| Sep 19, 2004 | Hurricane | TROPICAL DEPRESSION IVAN |
| Sep 19, 2004 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING ASSOCIATED WITH TROPICAL DEPRESSION FRANCES |
| Mar 14, 2003 | Severe Storm | SNOW |
| Jan 21, 1996 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 |
| Mar 10, 1994 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS |
| Mar 16, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM |
| Oct 8, 1985 | Hurricane | HURRICANE GLORIA |
| Jan 29, 1977 | Snowstorm | SNOWSTORMS |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Flood | TROPICAL STORM AGNES |
| Aug 19, 1969 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Aug 18, 1965 | Drought | WATER SHORTAGE |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
616
Total IA Distributed
$1,677,336
Repair/Replace
$727,373
Rental Assistance
$66,593
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4671 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4506 | 145 | $810,341 | — |
| DR-1557 | 153 | $443,102 | $3,758 |
| DR-1649 | 165 | $312,428 | $2,568 |
| DR-4025 | 57 | $60,800 | $1,453 |
| DR-4618 | 68 | $32,303 | $1,805 |
| DR-4030 | 8 | $13,127 | $851 |
| DR-1587 | 19 | $5,234 | $675 |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
94
Total Claims Paid
$450,788
Avg Claim Payout
$4,796
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$639,347
Disasters with PA
3
Total Projects
43
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1557 | Hurricane | 19 | $528,614 |
| DR-3180 | Severe Storm(s) | 21 | $102,338 |
| DR-4506 | Biological | 3 | $8,395 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
1
Federal Funding
$122,568
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.37
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 500.3: Flood Control - Dam | 1 | $122,568 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Palmerton has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are lightning, heat wave, winter weather. The area has had 18 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (4 declarations). 94 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $639,347 in public assistance recovery funding. $1,677,336 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 1 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.