Photo: Idawriter · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hanover than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hanover gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #160 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2004.
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 Hanover 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 Hanover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hanover, and Hanover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 22% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A #160 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hanover’s residents live in 4 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, Hanover has less expected damage per building than 85% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Hanover: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hanover flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hanover, 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.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $3K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $11K
Hanover 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hanover
Disasters that paid out in Hanover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Hanover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida102 households applied for aid$18K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $11K
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee72 households applied for aid$97K aid approved
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 Hanover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hanover archive →Hanover and its neighbors
Hanover has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanover | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Penn Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Pennville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Parkville | — | 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 Hanover 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 Hanover
Is Hanover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hanover has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #160 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hanover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Hanover since 2004, $17K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is Hanover 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 Hanover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hanover’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 Hanover?
By FEMA money that reached Hanover, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 72 households applied for aid, $97K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Hanover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Hanover’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hanover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hanover’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.