Bixler, Michael and Magdealena Farmstead · Photo: Smallbones · CC0On FEMA’s figures, East Manchester Township faces less hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Manchester Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #330 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 East Manchester Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Manchester 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 Manchester Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Manchester Township, and East Manchester Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 19% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A #330 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Manchester 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 Manchester Township has less expected damage per building than 68% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across East Manchester Township: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Manchester Township flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Manchester Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee4 claims · $67K
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $84K
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $15K
East Manchester 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: York County.The storms East Manchester Township remembers
None of the 17 disasters declared for York County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching East Manchester Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20116 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for York County
- 20213 flood claims paidThe year of Remnants of Hurricane Ida, declared for York County
- 19782 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
York County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of East Manchester Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Manchester Township archive →East Manchester Township and its neighbors
East Manchester Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Manchester Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Manchester Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Springettsbury Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Conewago Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 70 |
| Conoy Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Hellam Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 111 |
| Newberry Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Saginaw | — | 553 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| York Haven | — | 732 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Manchester 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 Manchester Township
Is East Manchester Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Manchester Township has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #330 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Manchester Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in East Manchester Township since 1978, $254K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (4).
Is East Manchester 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 York County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Manchester Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Manchester 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 Manchester Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 4 paid, $67K.
Is East Manchester Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and East Manchester Township’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Manchester Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Manchester 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.