Less hazard damage per building is expected in East Caln Township than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Caln Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #197 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1984.
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 Caln 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
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 Caln Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Caln Township, and East Caln Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
A #197 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of East Caln 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 Caln Township has less expected damage per building than 81% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across East Caln Township: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Caln Township flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Caln Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $252K
East Caln 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 Caln Township remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Chester County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching East Caln Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20143 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storm, declared for Chester County
- 20062 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides, declared for Chester County
- 19841 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 Caln Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Caln Township archive →East Caln Township and its neighbors
East Caln Township is 3rd of the 8 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 Bradford Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| East Caln Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| West Whiteland Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 63 |
| East Brandywine Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| East Bradford Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 126 |
| Caln Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Downingtown | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 336 |
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 Caln 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.
- 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 Caln Township
Is East Caln Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Caln Township has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #197 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and earthquakes (6%). 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 Caln Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in East Caln Township since 1984, $428K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is East Caln 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 Caln Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Caln 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 Caln Township?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $252K.
Is East Caln Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and East Caln Township’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Caln Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Caln 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.