Photo: The original uploader was Willjay at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Elverson’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elverson gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Elverson 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
Tornadoes
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 Elverson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elverson, and Elverson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Elverson’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $527K a year in losses across Elverson: $263K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elverson flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Elverson. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Elverson 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elverson
Disasters that paid out in Elverson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Elverson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida12 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene4 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
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 Elverson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elverson archive →Elverson and its neighbors
Elverson is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Nantmeal Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Elverson | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Elverson 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Elverson
Is Elverson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elverson has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and earthquakes (8%). 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.
Is Elverson 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 Elverson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elverson’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 Elverson?
By FEMA money that reached Elverson, Hurricane Irene (2011): 4 households applied for aid, $13K approved.
Is Elverson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Elverson’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elverson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elverson’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.