Flood Information & Insurance
Delaware River flood information can be found at the National Weather Service website
Get alerted about emergencies and other important community news by signing up for ReadyBucks, the official emergency alert system of Bucks County and Lower Makefield Township, PA.
LMT Floodplain Management Ordinance
At their September 17, 2025 meeting, the Lower Makefield Township Board of Supervisors adopted a new standalone Floodplain Management Ordinance (Ordinance #461). The Floodplain Ordinance was prepared and adopted in accordance with the requirements of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System program. The Ordinance can be viewed at the following links:
Flood Insurance available for review at the Lower Makefield Township Municipal Building Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or can be searched for and viewed online at the FEMA Map Service Center.
Flood Insurance Study - Elevation Certificates - Letter of Map Amendment plus historic Flood Insurance Rate Maps are also available for review.
Community Rating System Participation
On May 1, 2016, Lower Makefield Township was accepted into the CRS Program which will provide the opportunity for discounted Flood Insurance Premiums to the residents. At the May 18, 2016 Board of Supervisors Meeting, a FEMA representative presented a plaque to the Township commemorating the Township’s entrance into the CRS Program.
The CRS Rating of 7 qualifies the owners of homes and businesses mapped within the A and AE Flood Zone for a 15% discount on their Flood Insurance Policy premium upon renewal or the initiation of their policy.
As a public service, Lower Makefield Township will provide you with the following information upon request:
• Whether a property is in or out of the Flood Hazard Area (FHA) as shown on the current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) of the community.
• Lower Makefield Township also has information for additional FIRM information, problems not shown on the FIRM, flood depth data, special flood related hazards, historical flood information, natural floodplain functions.
• We have a handout on the flood insurance purchase requirement that can help people who need a mortgage or loan for a property in the SFHA.
• Lower Makefield Township maintains elevation certificates for new and substantially improved structures in the SFHA since 1978.
• Lower Makefield Township updates the Flood Insurance Rate Maps as needed when revisions are made to the maps.
If you would like to make an inquiry, please tell us the street address and, if available, the subdivision, and tax parcel number. We are open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Call us at the Community Development Department (267) 274-1123 or drop by the office at 1100 Edgewood Road, Yardley, PA 19067. There is no charge for this service.
The Bucks County Parcel & Floodplain Viewer contains GIS mapping resources that contain the following layers that are useful when evaluating a property:
- Floodplains (FEMA)
- Streams
- Subwatersheds
- National Wetlands Inventory (USFWS)
- Parcels (tax data)
- Municipal Zoning
- Contours
- Current and Historic Imagery
Flood Protection Information and Resources
The Bucks County Free Library Yardley-Makefield Branch now has the following FEMA Publications regarding Flood Protection available at the Front Desk and at the Township offices for viewing/borrowing:
Direct-to-Consumer Flood Insurance Quote Tool
In this tool, a homeowner or business owner can populate all information regarding their home or business and immediately receive a quote for flood insurance. They will then be able to purchase the policy if they choose without any obligation to do so. Give it a try at: FloodSmart D2C Quote Tool
You should consider purchasing flood insurance if you are in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Homes and businesses in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are required to have flood insurance. For residents living outside an area of high risk, having flood insurance may still be a wise choice: More than 32 percent of flood claims come from properties outside the high-risk flood area.
- Insurance Agent Referral Call Center
To sell flood insurance, your agent or insurer must participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If your insurance agent does not sell flood insurance, you can contact the NFIP Referral Call Center at 1-800-427-4661to request an agent. - More about Flood Insurance
The website, www.floodsmart.gov offers clear, helpful information from the National Flood Insurance Program.
Other informative website links regarding Flood Insurance and Flood Protection:
WHAT DOES NFIP COVER?
BUILDING COVERAGE PROTECTS YOUR:
- Electrical and plumbing systems
- Furnaces and water heaters
- Refrigerators, cooking stoves, and built-in appliances like dishwashers
- Permanently installed carpeting
- Permanently installed cabinets, paneling, and bookcases
- Window blinds
- Foundation walls, anchorage systems, and staircases
- Detached garages
- Fuel tanks, well water tanks, pumps, and solar energy equipment
CONTENTS COVERAGE PROTECTS YOUR:
- Personal belongings such as clothing, furniture, and electronic equipment
- Curtains
- Washer and dryer
- Portable and window air conditioners
- Microwave oven
- Carpets not included in building coverage (e.g., carpet installed over wood floors)
- Valuable items such as original artwork and furs (up to $2,500)
Items not covered by building or contents coverage:
- Temporary housing and additional living expenses incurred while the building is being repaired or is unable to be occupied
- Property outside of an insured building. For example, landscaping, wells, septic systems, decks and patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs, and swimming pools
- Financial losses caused by business interruption
- Currency, precious metals, stock certificates and other valuable papers
- Cars and most self-propelled vehicles, including their parts
- Personal property kept in basements
Common Flood Insurance Myths
- You can’t buy (or you only need) flood insurance if you are located in a high-risk flood area
- Homeowners' insurance policies cover flooding (Not unless you purchased a separate rider)
- You can’t buy flood insurance if your property has been flooded
- Flood insurance can only be purchased through the NFIP directly
- The NFIP does not offer any basement coverage
- Flood insurance is only available for homeowners (renters can buy contents policies)
- You can purchase flood insurance immediately before or during a flood.
Federal disaster assistance will automatically pay for flood damage. (Average payout $4,500)
LMT Floodplain Management Ordinance & FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program
A presentation on our Floodplain Management Program can be viewed at https://lowermakefieldpa.swagit.com/play/11052020-988 or at the link below: