Bridge Mill Farm · Photo: Smallbones · CC0Less hazard damage per building is expected in East Brandywine Township than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Brandywine Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #305 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1979.
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 East Brandywine 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
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 East Brandywine Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Brandywine Township, and East Brandywine Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A #305 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of East Brandywine 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, East Brandywine Township has less expected damage per building than 71% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across East Brandywine Township: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Brandywine Township flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Brandywine Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $4K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $64K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $1K
East Brandywine 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: Chester County.The storms East Brandywine Township remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Chester County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching East Brandywine Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19791 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19831 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19941 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, declared for Chester County
Chester County has had 21 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 East Brandywine Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Brandywine Township archive →East Brandywine Township and its neighbors
East Brandywine Township is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uwchlan Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| West Brandywine Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| East Caln Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| East Brandywine Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Upper Uwchlan Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Caln Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
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 East Brandywine 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.
- 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 East Brandywine Township
Is East Brandywine Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Brandywine Township has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #305 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (5%). 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 East Brandywine Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in East Brandywine Township since 1979, $100K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (1).
Is East Brandywine 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 Chester County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Brandywine Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Brandywine 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 East Brandywine Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 1 paid, $4K.
Is East Brandywine Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and East Brandywine Township’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Brandywine Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Brandywine 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.