Andrew Kuerner Farm-Wyeth Studio · Photo: Smallbones · CC0FEMA puts Chadds Ford Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chadds Ford Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #105 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 75 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Chadds Ford Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chadds Ford 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
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
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 Chadds Ford Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chadds Ford Township, and Chadds Ford Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 9% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #105 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Chadds Ford 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, Chadds Ford Township has less expected damage per building than 90% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Chadds Ford Township: $972K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chadds Ford Township flood? Sometimes: 75 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chadds Ford Township, from FEMA’s records: 46.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida18 claims · $2.6M
- The Mid-spring storms13 claims · $515K
- Hurricane Floyd11 claims · $299K
Chadds Ford 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chadds Ford Township
Disasters that paid out in Chadds Ford Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Chadds Ford Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida36 households applied for aid$75K aid approved18 flood claims paid for it, $2.6M
- 2011Hurricane Irene10 households applied for aid$27K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $158K
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
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 Chadds Ford Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chadds Ford Township archive →Chadds Ford Township and its neighbors
Chadds Ford Township is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Chadds Ford Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 75 |
| Thornbury Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pennsbury Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Birmingham Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Dilworthtown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Chadds Ford 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Chadds Ford Township
Is Chadds Ford Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chadds Ford Township has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #105 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (9%). 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 Chadds Ford Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 75 claims in Chadds Ford Township since 1978, $4.0M in all, or 46.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (18).
Is Chadds Ford 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 Chadds Ford Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chadds Ford 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 Chadds Ford Township?
By FEMA money that reached Chadds Ford Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 36 households applied for aid, $75K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 18 paid, $2.6M.
Is Chadds Ford Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Chadds Ford Township’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chadds Ford Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chadds Ford 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.