Pool Forge Covered Bridge · Photo: Photo (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, East Earl Township faces less hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Earl Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #466 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 East Earl 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
Earthquakes
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 Earl Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Earl Township, and East Earl Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #466 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Earl Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, East Earl Township has less expected damage per building than 55% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across East Earl Township: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Earl Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Earl Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
East Earl 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: Lancaster County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to East Earl Township
Disasters that paid out in East Earl Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to East Earl Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Lancaster County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of East Earl Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Earl Township archive →East Earl Township and its neighbors
East Earl Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Earl Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Earl Township | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Salisbury Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Caernarvon Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Brecknock Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Fivepointville | — | 904 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Blue Ball | — | 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 East Earl 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Earl Township
Is East Earl Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Earl Township has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #466 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Earl Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in East Earl Township since 1978, $778 in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is East Earl 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 Lancaster County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Earl Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Earl 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 Earl Township?
By FEMA money that reached East Earl Township, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 4 households applied for aid, $1K approved.
Is East Earl Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and East Earl Township’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Earl Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Earl 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.