Photo: Smallbones · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, East Goshen Township faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Goshen Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #172 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1999.
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 Goshen 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 Goshen Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Goshen Township, and East Goshen Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
A #172 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Goshen Township’s residents live in 5 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 Goshen Township has less expected damage per building than 83% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across East Goshen Township: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Goshen Township flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Goshen Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $61K
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $7K
- Tropical Storm Fred1 claim · $66K
East Goshen 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 Goshen Township remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Chester County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching East Goshen Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20214 flood claims paidThe year of Remnants of Hurricane Ida, declared for Chester County
- 19992 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations, declared for Chester County
- 20071 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 Goshen Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Goshen Township archive →East Goshen Township and its neighbors
East Goshen Township is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Whiteland Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Willistown Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| West Goshen Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Westtown Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| East Goshen Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Goshen 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 Goshen Township
Is East Goshen Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Goshen Township has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #172 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Goshen Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in East Goshen Township since 1999, $175K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (3).
Is East Goshen 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 Goshen Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Goshen 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 Goshen Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 3 paid, $61K.
Is East Goshen Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and East Goshen Township’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Goshen Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Goshen 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.